GB2591637A

GB2591637A - Improvements in and Relating to Built-up Walls

Info

Publication number: GB2591637A
Application number: GB2102814.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Braybrook Peter
Original assignee: Maple Sunscreening Ltd
Current assignee: Maple Sunscreening Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-01
Filing date: 2018-10-01
Publication date: 2021-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-01
Also published as: GB2591637B; GB202102814D0

Abstract

A cladding rail receiving element 132 for receiving a cladding rail or secondary elongate mounting member of a wall cladding comprises a receiver body having a head for receipt in a slot of a primary elongate mounting member, and a tail portion 38 for receiving the cladding rail. The tail portion defines a rail receiver 138 having a detent to retain the rail in the receiver. A method of forming a plurality of uniformly-dimensioned cladding panels for mounting to an underlying structure is also disclosed.

Description

Improvements in and Relating to Built-Up Walls The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to built-up-walls. The present invention more specifically relates to a built-up-wall attachment apparatus, a elongate-mounting-member clamp, a method of attaching a elongate mounting member to a built-up-wall bracket, an insulation retaining element, a method of retaining insulation, a method of installing secondary elongate mounting members on a primary elongate mounting member, a built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly, and/or method of forming a plurality of uniformly-dimensioned cladding panels.

Built-up walls are walls of buildings which have multiple layers, each layer typically being installed in an independent operation. Built-up walls are typically quick and cost-efficient to construct for large buildings with a uniform façade, and therefore are commonly used for high-rise buildings. From interior to exterior the multiple layers conventionally include a mounting surface or back wall, a waterproof layer, a layer of thermal insulation, a cavity drained to the exterior and an outer layer which may be cladding or panelling. Conventionally the mounting surface structurally supports the outer layers.

Built-up walls can provide improved thermal insulation as compared to conventional walls. However, thermal bridging can occur through the layers of insulation via the attachment means used to attach the layers. This results in heat loss from the building.

Additionally, moisture can pass through the layers which can result in damp within the building The various layers may move relative to each other, for example wind loading may cause the outer cladding to rattle.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a built-up-wall attachment apparatus for attachment to a mounting surface of a built-up wall, the builtup-wall attachment apparatus comprising: a built-up-wall bracket having a non-circular fastener receiving aperture for receiving a fastener to attach the built-up-wall bracket to the mounting surface; and a sealing element overlapping the non-circular fastener receiving aperture and allowing an in use fastener to extend through the sealing element and the non-circular fastener receiving aperture so that the sealing element positively engages the fastener.

A built-up wall is a well understood term in the field of construction meaning a wall formed from multiple layers, and is therefore a layered construction.

Preferably, the sealing element is a rear sealing element positioned at or adjacent to a mounting-surface-facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket.

Advantageously, the built-up-wall attachment apparatus may further comprise a further sealing element configured to seal the fastener receiving aperture at or adjacent to an opposing side of the built-up-wall bracket to the sealing element. In this case the further sealing element may be a front sealing element positionable at an exterior facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket. Also in this case, the further sealing element may be a sealing washer positionable around the in-use fastener, the sealing washer configured to seal the fastener receiving aperture bctwccn the built-up-wall bracket and thc fastener. In this case the sealing washer may be configured to seal the fastener receiving aperture when around the in-use fastener when the fastener is positioned anywhere in the fastener receiving aperture. Further in this case, the sealing washer may have a radius which is greater than or equal to a longitudinal extent of the fastener receiving aperture.

In the case that the sealing element is a rear sealing element positioned at or adjacent to a mounting-surface-facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket, preferably the fastener receiving aperture may have a longitudinal extent parallel with a plane of the mountingsurface-facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket. Also in this case, advantageously the sealing element may be positionable so that the sealing element extends across the whole of the mounting-surface-facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket.

Preferably, the or each sealing element comprises an elastomer. Optionally, said elastomer may comprise a synthetic rubber. Additionally, said synthetic rubber may comprise ethylene propylene diene monomer.

Preferably, the built-up-wall bracket has a plurality of fastener receiving apertures, the same sealing element sealing each fastener receiving aperture. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate-mounting-member clamp for temporarily retaining an elongate mounting member of a built-up wall to a built-up-wall bracket, the elongate-mounting-member clamp comprising: a bracket-attachment means for detachably attaching the elongate-mounting-member clamp to the built-up-wall bracket; and a clamping element for clamping the elongate mounting member between the elongate-mounting-member clamp and the built-up-wall bracket.

Preferably, a force of attachment of the bracket-attachment means is adjustable so that a 10 clamping force applied by the clamping element on the elongate mounting member is adjustable.

Beneficially, the bracket attachment means may have a fastener receiving aperture.

Optionally, the bracket attachment means may include a bracket receiver for receiving at least part of the bracket. Advantageously, in this case the bracket receiver may include a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped channel with at least onc lip for extending at or adjacent to two opposing sides of the built-up-wall bracket. In this case, in a preferable embodiment a base of the U-shaped channel may be flat or substantially flat. Beneficially, also in this case, a side wall of the U-shaped channel may extend at a non-perpendicular angle to the base Preferably, the clamping element may have a hooked portion for gripping the elongate mounting member and an end of the hooked portion complimentarily engages a groove of the elongate mounting member.

Optionally, the clamping element and the bracket attachment means may be unitarily formed as a one-piece. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching an elongate mounting member to a built-up-wall bracket preventing or limiting obstructions left in-situ, the method comprising the steps: a) providing an elongate-mounting-member clamp according to the second aspect of the present invention; b) attaching the elongate-mounting-member clamp to a built-up-wall bracket; c) retaining the elongate mounting member between the elongate-mounting-member clamp and the built-up-wall bracket; d) attaching the elongate mounting member to the built-up-wall bracket via an attachment means separate to the elongate-mountingmember clamp, and e) detaching the built-up wall elongate-mounting-member clamp According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate mounting member temporary retaining assembly comprising: an elongate-mounting5 member clamp and a built-up-wall bracket, the elongate-mounting-member clamp being detachably attachable to the built-up-wall bracket.

Preferably, the built-up-wall bracket has at least two slots for receiving the elongatemounting-member clamp so that the elongate-mounting-member clamp is at or adjacent to two opposing surfaces of the built-up-wall bracket.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insulation retaining element for retaining insulation against a mounting surface of a built-up-wall, the insulation retaining element comprising: a support-attachment body having support-attachment means for attaching the insulation retaining element to an elongate mounting member; and an insulation retaining member for engaging insulation so as to retain in-usc insulation against the mounting surface.

Preferably, the insulation retaining member is articulable at at least one point so as to in use extend the retaining arm towards the insulation Advantageously, the insulation retaining member may have a first recess for enabling localised deformation at the recess.

Beneficially, the insulation retaining member may have a second recess spaced apart from the first recess.

Preferably, the first and/or second recess is rounded.

Advantageously, the first and second recess may be positioned on opposing faces of the insulation retaining member for enabling deformation of the insulation retaining member 25 in two different directions.

Preferably, the retaining arm includes a fastener receiving aperture.

Advantageously, the support-attachment means may include an interference element for attaching the insulation retaining element to the elongate mounting member via an interference fit.

Beneficially, the interference element may include a first interference member and a 5 second interference member, the first and second interference members being spaced apart from each other on the support-attachment body.

Preferably, the insulation retaining element is in use pivotal about the first interference member.

Advantageously, the second interference member may have a lip for receiving a 10 protrusion of the elongate mounting member for locking the insulation retaining element to the elongate mounting member.

Preferably, the lip of the second interference member has a taper for guiding the lip past the in-use protrusion and preventing withdrawal thereof once locked.

Advantageously, insulation retaining element may further comprise an engagement 15 element to provide a leverage point for enabling in use detachment of the attachment means from the elongate mounting member.

Preferably, the support-attachment body may be curvate or substantially curvate.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of retaining insulation against a mounting surface of a built-up wail whilst preventing or limiting thermal bridging through a front-to-back extent of the insulation and/or penetration of fixings and fastenings through a vapour barrier of the built-up wall, the method comprising: attaching an insulation retaining element according to the fifth aspect of the present invention to an elongate mounting member via a support-attachment means of the insulation retaining element so that an insulation retaining member of the insulation retaining element seats on the insulation without or with substantially no penetration.

The zero or minimal penetration of the insulation retaining element reduces or eliminates possible water or moisture penetration from the exterior of the built-up wall to the interior surfaces. This dramatically reduces problems associated with water ingress, thereby improving longevity and improving thermal insulative characteristics.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of off-site setting of a pitch of secondary elongate mounting members to be held by at least one primary elongate mounting member of a built-up wall, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing at least one said primary elongate mounting member along with installation-site pitch data; b] locating a plurality of secondary-elongate-mountingmember receivers on said primary elongate mounting member in accordance with said pitch data; and c] transporting the receiver-located primary elongate mounting member to an installation site.

Preferably, said plurality of secondary-elongate-mounting-member receivers have a 10 unitarily formed receiver body in which each receiver is formed.

Advantageously, said plurality of secondary-elongate-mounting member receivers may include separate receiver bodies for each secondary-elongate-mounting member receiver.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a secondaryelongate-mounting-member receiving element for receiving a secondary elongate mounting member, the secondaiy-clongate-mounting-member receiver comprising: a receiver body having a head portion adapted to be received within a slot of an in-use primary elongate mounting member and a tail portion; the tail portion defining a secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver having a detent to retain the in use secondary elongate mounting member in the receiver.

Preferably, the detent includes an upper detent member and lower detent member.

Advantageously, the or each detent may be an inward taper at the edge of the opening of the receiver.

Beneficially, the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver may be a recess.

In a preferable embodiment, the receiver body may have a plurality of secondary-25 elongate-mounting-member receivers formed thereon Preferably, the head portion has a uniform cross-section so as to be slidable in the primary elongate mounting member, Beneficially, the receiver body may include a fastener receiving aperture for receiving a fastener so as to fix the receiver body relative to the in use primary elongate mounting member.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a built-up-wall 5 cladding attachment assembly comprising: a cladding support element having an attachment means for attaching cladding thereto and one of a female engagement element or male engagement element; an elongate mounting member having the other of the female engagement element or male engagement element; when the male engagement element is received in the female engagement element the male engagement element 10 being angularly offset relative to the female engagement element so that the male engagement element positively engages at least one side wall of the female engagement element to prevent or limit in-use rattling of the cladding support element relative to the elongate mounting member.

Preferably, the male engagement element interengages two side walls of the female 15 engagement element.

In a preferable embodiment, may have the male engagement element has a narrower lateral extent than that an interior width of the female engagement element.

Wherein the cladding support element further includes a fixing means for fixing the cladding support element to the elongate mounting member and a spacing arm for spacing 20 the fixing means from the female or male engagement element Preferably, the spacing arm spaces the fixing means from the female or male engagement element in a top-to-bottom and a back-to-front direction of the building.

Beneficially, the cladding support element may have the female engagement element and the elongate mounting member may have the male engagement element, the male engagement element being angled away from the first fastening means so that the male engagement element positively engages a distal side wall of the female engagement element.

In a preferable embodiment, an in use lower portion of the spacing arm may positively engage the female engagement element so as to provide a closing force on the female 30 engagement element.

Preferably, the built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly further comprises a ratcheting means for ratcheting the relative positions of the cladding support element and the elongate mounting member, the ratcheting means including a first ratcheting element at or adjacent to the fixing means and the elongate mounting member having a second ratcheting element, the first and second ratcheting, the first and second ratcheting elements being cooperatively engageable According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a plurality of uniformly-dimensioned cladding panels with uniformly-positioned engagement points between each exterior cladding element thereof, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing each exterior cladding element with first and second locators at an in-use top-to-bottom predetermined spacing from each other; b] providing a cladding support element with third and fourth locators corresponding to the first and second locators, respectively; and c] mounting the exterior cladding element to the cladding support element, wherein the first and third locators and the second and fourth locators align to overlie each other.

Preferably, during step c] the first locator is at least in part received in the third locator or vice versa and the second locator is at least in part received in the fourth locator or vice versa.

Preferably, during step a] the first locator is provided at a predetermined distance away 20 from a proximal-most horizontal edge to the first locator and the second locator is provided at a predetermined distance away from a proximal-most horizontal edge to the second locator.

Beneficially, during step a] each exterior cladding element may be provided with a plurality of first and second locators.

Advantageously, during step a] the first and second locators may be countersunk holes Preferably, during step b] each of the third and fourth locators is a groove.

Beneficially, during step a] a fifth locator may be provided adjacent to a vertical edge of the exterior cladding element; during step b] a sixth locator may be provided on the cladding support element corresponding to the fifth locator; and during step c] the fifth 30 and sixth locators may align to overlie each other.

Preferably, there may be a plurality of fifth and sixth locators.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a lateral cross section of a built-up wall having a first embodiment 5 of a built-up-wall attachment apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an embodiment of an elongate-mounting-member clamp in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, a first embodiment of a secondary-elongatemounting-member receiver in accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention and for use with the method of the sixth aspect of the present invention, and a first and 10 second embodiment of a built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly in accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a further built up wall with a portion of the outer clarity removed for clarity showing first and second embodiments of an insulation retaining element in accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a perspective view the built-up-wall attachment apparatus of Figure 1 with a fastener receiving aperture shown in dashed line; Figure 4 shows a side view of the built-up-wall attachment apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 5 shows a perspective representation of a second embodiment of a builtup-wall attachment apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a top view of the elongate-mounting-member clamp of Figure 1 in use on a built-up-wall bracket; Figure 7 shows a perspective side view of the elongate-mounting-member clamp of Figure 1 exploded from the in-use built-up-wall bracket of Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a perspective side view of the elongate-mounting-member clamp 25 of Figure 1 in use retaining an elongate mounting member to the built-up-wall bracket, Figure 9 shows a top view of two first embodiments of the insulation retaining element of Figure 2 in use mounted on a vertically aligned elongate mounting member, one first embodiment is shown in multiple stages of detachment by an in-use screwdriver; Figure 10 shows the two insulation retaining elements of Figure 2, one insulation 5 retaining element being deformed towards in use insulation, a direction of deformation being shown by block arrows; Figure 11 shows a second embodiment of the insulation retaining element in use mounted on a horizontally aligned elongate mounting member, being deformed towards in use insulation, a direction of deformation being shown by block arrows; Figure 12 shows a third embodiment of insulation retailing element arranged in use similarly to the insulation retaining element of Figure 11; Figure 13 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the secondary-elongatemounting-member receiver of Figure 1 with an in use horizontally aligned secondary elongate mounting member received therein; Figure 14 shows a top view of the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver of Figure 1; Figure 15 shows a plurality of secondary-elongate-mounting-member receivers of Figure 1 received in use in a vertically aligned primary elongate mounting member, Figure 16a shows a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the 20 secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver; Figure 16b shows a rear perspective view of the secondary-elongate-mountingmember receiver of Figure 16a; Figure 17 shows a plurality of secondary-elongate-mounting-member receivers of Figure 16a in use attached to a vertically aligned primary elongate mounting member, Figure 18 shows a lateral cross-section of the built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly of Figure 1 in use as part of a built-up wall with in use cladding element attached thereto in accordance with a method of the tenth aspect of the present invention, Figure 19 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the built-up-wall cladding 5 attachment assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 20 shows a side view of the third embodiment of the built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a built-up wall 10. The built-up wall 10 preferably includes a mounting surface 12 or back wall, a waterproof layer, which may be considered to be a vapour layer, 14 positioned on an exterior facing surface on the mounting surface 12 and a built-up-wall attachment apparatus 16, including a built-up-wall bracket 18 and a sealing element 20, attached to the mounting surface 12 through the waterproof layer 1_4.

An elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 is shown temporarily retaining an elongate mounting member 24, which is here a vertically aligned primary elongate mounting member 24a, to the built-up-wall bracket 18. It will be appreciated that the elongatemounting-member clamp 22 is included in Figures 1 and 2 for reference and clarity, although in practice the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 will typically have been detached before the built-up wall 10 has reached a stage of completion that is shown in Figure 2.

Connected to the vertically aligned primary elongate mounting member 24a is shown a first embodiment of an insulation retaining element 26, which is in use retaining a layer of insulation 28 against the mounting surface 12. A first embodiment of a secondary -elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30 is shown as an insert received in the vertically aligned primary elongate mounting member 24a. A secondary elongate mounting member 24b, which is here horizontally aligned, is received in the secondaryelongate-mounting-member receiving element 30. A second embodiment of an insulation retaining element 26' is connected to the horizontally aligned secondary elongate mounting member 24b, retaining insulation 28 at or adjacent to the mounting surface 12.

A first embodiment of a cladding support element 32, which together with the secondary elongate mounting member 24b forms a plurality of built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly 34, is located on the secondary elongate mounting member 24b. Exterior cladding elements 36 are attached to the cladding support elements 32 to form cladding panels 38.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the built-up-wall attachment apparatus 16 is shown in further detail. The built-up-wall attachment apparatus 16 comprises the built-up-wall bracket 18 having a non-circular fastener receiving aperture 40 for receiving a fastener 42, preferably having a circular cross-section, to attach the built-up-wall bracket 18 to the mounting surface 12. The built-up-wall bracket 18 has a back plate 44 and a projecting plate 46 which are here arranged so that they are at right angles, although it will be appreciated that any angular separation may be considered. The back plate 44 has a mounting-surfacefacing surface which in use faces the mounting surface 12, and an opposing exterior facing surface, which in use faces an exterior direction from the building. The fastener receiving aperture 40 preferably extends through the back plate 44 and has a longitudinal extent parallel with a plane of the mounting-surface-facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket 18. Therefore, the fastener receiving aperture 40 is an elongate slot. The longitudinal extent of the fastener receiving aperture 40 is preferably aligned with a direction parallel to an edge of the back plate 44, and in use may be aligned with the horizontal or vertical direction, although other alignments may be considered. The fastener 42 does not have a slot shaped lateral extent and so the fastener 42 occupies only part of the fastener receiving aperture 40. Whilst described as having a slot shape and being elongate, it will be appreciated that the fastener receiving aperture 40 may in fact be any other shape, for example square, circular or L-shaped. There are preferably a plurality of fastener receiving apertures 40, for example here there are two spaced apart fastener receiving apertures 40. The fastener receiving apertures 40 may be offset from one another relative to the back plate 44, alternatively the fastener receiving apertures 40 may be horizontally or vertically aligned. Each fastener receiving aperture 40 may receive one fastener 42 and the or each fastener 42 extends in a direction from the exterior facing surface to the mounting-surface-facing surface.

The sealing element 20 overlaps the non-circular fastener receiving aperture 40 and allows an in use fastener 42 to extend through the sealing element 20 and the non-circular fastener receiving aperture 40 so that the sealing element 20 positively engages the fastener 42. The sealing element 20 is therefore resiliently deformable so that, when a fastener 42 is inserted through an opening in the sealing element 20 having a size less than a corresponding size of the fastener 42, the sealing element 20 applies a closing force on the opening around at least part of the fastener 42. The opening may be preformed or formed in-situ and may, for example include a slit 47 or a hole. The sealing element 20 preferably extends across or covers the fastener receiving aperture 40.

The sealing element 20 is here a rear sealing element being positionable at the mountingsurface-facing surface. The rear sealing element 20 is configured to seal the fastener receiving aperture 40 between the fastener 42 and the built-up-wall bracket 18. The rear sealing element 20 preferably extends across at least a majority of the mounting-surfacefacing surface of the built-up-wall bracket 18. More preferably the rear sealing element 20 extends across the whole of the mounting-surface-facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket 18. The rear sealing element 20 is preferably uniformly continuous, and therefore, when positioned on the built-up-wall bracket 18, the fastener receiving aperture 40 may not be an aperture as such, given that it is bounded on one side by the rear sealing element 20.

The rear sealing element 20 is preferably attached to the built-up-wall bracket 18, for example it may be adhered to the mounting-surface-facing surface of the built-up-wall bracket 18 via an adhesive, although mechanical fasteners may also be considered. Preferably, the rear sealing element 20 comprises an elastomer, more preferably the elastomer comprises a synthetic rubber and most preferably the synthetic rubber comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer.

The built-up-wall attachment apparatus 16 preferably includes a further sealing element 48 configured to seal the fastener receiving aperture 40 at or adjacent to an opposing side of the built-up-wall bracket 18 to the sealing element 20. Here the further sealing element 48 is a front sealing element 48 and comprises a sealing washer which is positionable around the or each fastener 42. The sealing washer 48 seals the fastener receiving aperture 40 between the built-up-wall bracket 18 and the fastener 42. The sealing washer 48 preferably has a sealing body, with an aperture therethrough, the body having a greater than or equal radius than the elongate extent of the fastener receiving aperture 40 Therefore, the sealing washer 48 is configured to seal the fastener receiving aperture 40 when around the in-use fastener 42 if the fastener 42 is positioned anywhere in the fastener receiving aperture 40. The front sealing element 48 preferably comprises similar or identical materials as the rear sealing element 20 Whilst a sealing washer is described, it will be appreciated that the front sealing element may be a sealing element similar or identical to the rear sealing element. Alternatively, the front sealing element may be attached over the head of the fastener so as to seal the fastener receiving aperture around the whole of the fastener. The positions of the front and rear sealing elements may be reversed if required Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the built-up-wall bracket 18' which may be identical to the initially described built-up-wall bracket 18 with the exception that a supporting flange 50 extends between the back plate 44 and the projecting plate 46. Whilst shown as being centrally located, the supporting flange 50 may otherwise be positioned at or adjacent to the top or bottom of the bracket.

Referring in particular to Figures 6, 7 and 8, and also again to Figures 4 and 5 there is shown the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 in greater detail. The elongatemounting-member clamp 22 may also be known as a helping hand, retaining element or support. The elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 is for temporarily retaining the elongate mounting member 24 to the built-up-wall bracket 18. The elongate-mountingmember clamp 22 therefore supports the elongate mounting member 24 to assist with holding the elongate mounting member 24 whilst the elongate mounting member 24 is being positioned initially and before final fixing. Here the cladding-support-member clamp 22 is for retaining the vertically-aligned primary elongate mounting member 24a, although it will be appreciated that it may also be used to support the horizontally aligned primary elongate mounting member.

The elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 preferably comprises a body. The body has a bracket attachment means 52 at or adjacent to one end of the body for detachably 30 attaching the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 to the built-up-wall bracket 18. The bracket attachment means 52 includes a bracket receiver 54 for receiving at least part of the built-up-wall bracket 18. Preferably the bracket receiver 54 comprises a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped channel with at least one lip 56 for extending at or adjacent to two opposing sides of the built-up-wall bracket 18. The bracket receiver 54 is therefore non-planar. Although described as U-shaped, a base 58 of the U-shaped channel is flat or substantially flat. The U-shaped channel has two side walls, a forward side wall 60 and a rearward side wall 62. At least one of the side walls 60, 62 extends at a non-perpendicular angle to the base 58 and preferably here it is the rearward side wall 62.

The bracket attachment means 52 further includes a fastening means 64, for example a fastener receiving aperture 66 for receiving a fastener 68. The fastener receiving aperture 66 preferably extends through the base 58 of the bracket receiver 54, although it will be appreciated that it may in fact be positioned elsewhere on the bracket receiver 54, for example on the lips 56.

The elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 has a clamping element 70 for retaining the clongatc mounting member 24 between the clongatc-mounting-membcr clamp 22 and thc built-up-wall bracket 18. Preferably, the clamping element 70 is at an opposing end of the body to the attachment means 52 and/or bracket receiver 54. The clamping element 70 here includes a hooked portion for gripping the elongate mounting member 24. The hooked portion has an end 72 or point or ridge which complimentarily engages a groove 74 of the elongate mounting member 24, as will be better understood hereinafter.

The built-up-wall bracket 18 has two slots 76 at or adjacent to each of an in-use top edge and an in-use bottom edge, the slots being in use aligned with the vertical direction. The spacing of the slots 76 corresponds to the spacing of the side walls 60, 62 of the bracket receiver 54. Here the slots 76 are on a projecting plate 46 of the built-up-wall bracket 18.

Whilst top and bottom edge adjacent slots 76 are described, it will be appreciated that each built-up-wall bracket may in fact only have top or bottom edge adjacent slots. Additionally, whilst two slots are described, it will be appreciated that only one slot may be provided which may correspond with an L-shaped or substantially L-shaped bracket receiver.

The vertically aligned or primary elongate mounting member 24a, which may also be known as a primary rail, has a T shaped cross-section and may therefore be a T-beam. Whilst described as a T-beam, it will be appreciated that the elongate mounting member 24a may in fact have any other shape. A web 78 of the elongate mounting member 24 has at least one and preferably a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 74 for receiving the clamping element 70 of the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22. Longitudinally aligned and centrally located along an exterior or distally facing surface of a flange 80 of the T-beam is a channel 82 or groove for receiving the or each secondary-elongatemounting-member receiver. An interior or proximally facing surface of the flange 80 preferably has a first notch 84, recess or groove, preferably located at an intersection between the flange 80 and the web 78. A second notch 86, recess or groove is located on the interior facing surface of flange 80 and distal from the web 78 as compared to first notch 84. A protrusion 88 or lip extends at least in part across the second notch 86.

Referring in particular to Figures 9 and 10 there is shown the first embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26 for retaining the layer of insulation 28 against the mounting surface 12. The insulation retaining element 26 firstly comprises a support-attachment body 90 or arm having support-attachment means for attaching the insulation retaining element 26 to the elongate mounting member 24, which for this embodiment is the vertically aligned elongate mounting member 24a.

The support-attachment means preferably includes an interference element 92 for attaching the insulation retaining element 26 to the elongate mounting member 24 via an interference fit. The interference element 92 includes a first interference member 94 and a second interference member 96, the first and second interference members 94, 96 being spaced apart from each other on the support-attachment body 90.

The first interference member 94 is at an in use proximal end of the support-attachment body 90 to the elongate mounting member 24a, and extends in or substantially in the same direction as the support-attachment body 90. The end of the first interference member 94 is rounded and therefore the insulation retaining element 26 is pivotable about the end of the first interference member 94. The support attachment body 154 90 extends cut-vately away from the first interference member 94 and the second interference member 96 projects from a concave face of the support attachment body 90.

The second interference member 96 is preferably transversely aligned as compared to the first interference member 94 and here extends perpendicularly thereto. The second interference member 96 includes a lip 98 or detent for receiving a protrusion 88 of the elongate mounting member 24a for locking the insulation retaining element 26 to the 5 elongate mounting member 24a. The lip 98 of the second interference member 96 has a taper for guiding the lip 98 past the in-use protrusion 88 and a base of the taper prevents withdrawal of the protrusion 88 once received therebehind. The taper preferably faces outward and away from the first interference member 94. Here the lip 98 of the second interference member 96 has a triangular or substantially triangular shape and more 10 preferably has a right-angled triangular shape.

The insulation retaining element 26 preferably further comprises an insulation retaining member 100 for engaging insulation 28 so as to retain said insulation 28 against the mounting surface 12. The insulation retaining member 100 in an unmodified state is linear and/or planar so as to be more convenient for storage. However, the insulation retaining member 100 preferably articulatable at at least one point for extending the retaining arm towards the insulation 28. Here articulation is achieved via deformation and/or bending. Therefore, to assist easy on-site deformation, the insulation retaining member 100 may be made from an easily and/or repeatably deformable material for example aluminium or an alloy thereof, although other metals such as steel or titanium, or plastics may be considered. Whilst deformation is described it will be appreciated that such bending may also be achieved may hinges.

The insulation retaining member 100 has a first recess 102 or groove for creating a weak point so as to enable localised deformation at the first recess 102 This first recess 102 is preferably at or adjacent to the boundary between the insulation retaining member 100 and the support-attachment body 154 90 Here the first recess 102 is rounded and faces an in use inward direction to encourage inward deformation.

The insulation retaining member 100 preferably has a second recess 104 spaced apart from the first recess 102, to provide localised deformation in a second spaced apart position. The second recess 104 is similarly rounded and the first and second recess 104 are positioned on opposing faces of the insulation retaining member 100 for enabling deformation of the insulation retaining member 100 in two different directions. A portion of the insulation retaining member 100 between the first and second recess 104 may be defined as an intermediate portion 106 and a portion of the insulation retaining member 100 between the second recess 104 and the end may be defined as an end portion 108. Preferably the intermediate portion 106 is longer than the end portion 108. The insulation 5 retaining member 100 here includes a fastening means 110 for fastening the insulation retaining member 100 to the insulation 28, although it will be appreciated that no fastening means may be required and the insulation may be held by positive engagement. Preferably, the fastening means 110 is a fastener receiving aperture for receiving a fastener 110 and more preferably the fastener receiving aperture extends through the end 10 portion 108 of the insulation retaining member 100.

The insulation retaining element 26 preferably further includes a leverage element 112 to provide a leverage point to enable detachment of the insulation retaining element 26 from the elongate mounting member 24. Here the leverage element 112 has a hooked shape and protrudes from an exterior facing surface of the insulation retaining element 26 Rcfcrring in particular to Figure 11, there is shown a sccond embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26' for attachment to a horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b which is here a secondary elongate mounting member, although it will be appreciated in other constructions it may be a primary elongate mounting member. The second embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26' has similar or identical features to the first embodiment and identical reference numerals are used with' added.

The second embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26' comprises a support-attachment body 90' having support-attachment means. The support attachment means includes an interference element 92' having a first interference member 94' at one end of the insulation retaining element 26'. The first interference member 94' preferably has a hooked portion 114' or a substantially hooked portion for rotatably engaging around a protrusion 116 of the elongate mounting member 24b. The interference element 92' further includes a second interference member 96' at an opposing end of the support attachment body 154 90'. The second interference member 96' preferably has a lip 98' similarly formed to the lip 98 of the first embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26. A second-interference-member adjacent portion of the support attachment body 154 90' preferably extends at an angle to the remainder of the support attachment body 154 90' and more preferably extends laterally therefrom. The support attachment means preferably includes a handle 118', which is here at or adjacent to the second interference member 96', for allowing manual leverage of the support-attachment body 154 90' about the first interference member 94'.

An insulation retaining member 100' of the second embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26' preferably extends and/or projects from the support attachment body 154 90'. The insulation retaining member 100' of the second embodiment 26' is preferably similarly formed to that of the first embodiment 26 having first and second recesses 102', 104', an intermediate portion 106', end portion 108' and fastening means 110'. The insulation retaining member 100' preferably extends from at or adjacent to the first interference member 94'.

Referring in particular to Figure 12, there is shown a third embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26-for attachment to the horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b which may be a secondary support member or a primary support member.

The third embodiment of thc insulation retaining clement 26" has similar or identical features to the first and second embodiments and identical reference numerals are used with" added.

The third embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26" is similar and or identical to the second embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26, with the exception that 20 the insulation retaining member 100" extends from at or adjacent to the second interference member 96".

The horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b or transform is shown in Figures 11 to 13. The horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b has a back wall 120, which in use is proximal to the building and parallel to the mounting surface 12, and an upper wall 122 and a lower wall 124, which project from the back wall 120 in a direction away from the building. The lower wall 124 has a lower protrusion 126 or ridge which extends downwardly therefrom. The upper wall 122 similarly has an upper protrusion 128 or ridge. The upper protrusion 128 or ridge is preferably curvate and has a handle 130 for manual engagement extending from an upper end thereof Referring in particular to Figures 13, 14 and 15 there is shown the first embodiment of the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30 for receiving a secondary elongate mounting member 24b. The secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30 preferably includes a receiver body 132 which has a head portion 5 134 and a tail portion 136 which projects form the head portion 134. The head portion 134 is at least in part insertable into and engageable with the channel 88 or groove of the primary elongate mounting member 24. Preferably the head portion 134 has a greater lateral extent that the tail portion 136 and here the head portion 134 has a square lateral cross-section, although other cross-sections such as circular or rectangular may be 10 considered.

The tail portion 136 is preferably strip shaped and therefore is elongate with a rectangular lateral cross-section. The tail portion 136 has a plurality of receivers 138, which are here holes, recesses, grooves or apertures, formed along a longitudinal extent of the tail portion 136. Each receiver 138 has a detent 140, which here includes an upper detent member 142 and a lower detent member 144. The detent 140 may be considered to be an inward taper of the opening of the receiver such that, when there are upper and lower detent member 142, 144, the opening narrows inwardly. Beyond the upper and lower detent member 142, 144, the receiver 138 widens abruptly, such that a stop 146 is formed by the taper so as to prevent or limit an inserted secondary elongate mounting member 24b from being removed therefrom.

The receiver body H2 is preferably formed from a resiliently deformable material to allow for the receiver body 132 to be deformed as the secondary elongate mounting member 24b is inserted into the receiver 138. Metals, such as aluminium, or plastics may be considered for this purpose, among other materials.

The secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30 may be long and continuous and therefore may have multiple receivers 138, as shown here. Alternatively, the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver may be short, having only a single receiving element and therefore multiple receiving elements may be stacked in a built-up wall. Preferably the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30 is long so as to extend up the entirety or a significant portion of the height of the mounting surface 12.

Referring to Figures 16a, 16c and 17, there is shown a second embodiment of a secondaryelongate-mounting-member receiving element 30'. Identical reference numerals with a added indicate features of the second embodiment which are similar and/or identical to those of the first embodiment.

The second embodiment of the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30' is similarly or identically formed as the first embodiment of the secondary-elongatemounting-member receiving element 30. This is with the exception that each receiving element has a receiver body 132' which defines only one receiver 138'. Therefore, each receiver 138 is independently movable and the receiving elements may be spaced apart.

The receiving element preferably includes a fastener receiving aperture 146' for receiving a fastener 148' to fix the receiving element relative to the primary elongate mounting member 24a.

Referring to Figure 18 there is shown the built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly 34 comprising a cladding support element 32 having an attachment means 150 for attaching cxtcrior cladding elements 36 to the cladding support clement 32 and one of a female engagement element 152 or male engagement element. Here the cladding support element 32 is a female engagement element 152.

Figure 18 shows a first embodiment of a cladding support element 32, for attaching an upper end of a cladding element 36 thereto, and a second embodiment of a cladding 20 support element 32' for attaching a lower end of a cladding element 36 thereto.

The first embodiment of the cladding support element 32 is herein described first and Figure 19 shows this embodiment with greater clarity. The cladding support element 32 has an attachment body 154, which is here a box or a tube with a square cross-section, although it will be appreciated that other shaped cross-sections may be considered. The attachment body 154 has an in use upper attachment surface 156, through which the attachment means 150 extends, and an in-use exterior facing surface 158, against which the cladding is engaged. The attachment means 150 may include fastener receiving aperture for receiving anin-use fastener 160.

The attachment body 154 defines an exterior-proximal wall 162 of the female engagement 30 element 152. The female engagement element 152 further has an interior-proximal wall 164. Between the exterior-proximal wall 162 and the interior-proximal wall 164, a base 166 extends and an opening 168 opposes the base 166. The interior-proximal wall 164 and the exterior-proximal wall 162 are preferably parallel with each other and with the exterior facing surface 158. In use, the interior-proximal wall 164 and the exterior-proximal wall 162 are preferably aligned with a vertical direction.

The cladding support element 32 preferably further comprises a fixing means 170 for fixing the cladding support element 32 to the horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b. Here the fixing means 170 is a fastener receiving aperture formed within a fixing plate 172 of the cladding support element 32. The fastener receiving aperture is for receiving a fastener 174.

The cladding support element 32 preferably further comprises a spacing arm 176 which spaces, and therefore extends between, the fixing means 170 and the female engagement element 152. Here the spacing arm 176 has a depending portion 178, which depends from the fixing means 170, and a projecting portion 180, which extends from the bottom of the depending portion 178 in an in use outward direction from the building. Therefore, the spacing arm 176 spaces the fixing means 170 and the female engagement element 152 in two directions. The spacing arm 176 and fixing means 170 are joined by a curvate joining portion.

The built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly 34 preferably further includes a ratcheting means 182 for ratcheting the relative positions of the cladding support element 32 and the elongate mounting member 24. The ratcheting means 182 including a first ratcheting element 184 at or adjacent to the fixing means 170 and a second ratcheting element 186 on the elongate mounting member 24. The first and second ratcheting elements 184, 186 are cooperatively engageable. The first ratcheting element 184 is here a plurality grooves on the fixing plate 172 and the second ratcheting element 186 is a corresponding plurality of grooves on a back wall 120 of the elongate mounting member 24b.

The second embodiment of the cladding support element 32' is preferably similarly formed to the first embodiment 32 and identical reference numerals with added are used 30 for similar or identical features. The second embodiment has an attachment body 154', which is here a box or a tube with a square cross-section, although it will be appreciated that other shaped cross-sections may be considered. The attachment body 154' has an in use lower attachment surface 156', through which the attachment means 150' extends, and an in-use exterior facing surface 158', against which the cladding is engaged. A female engagement element 152' is positioned above and behind the attachment body 154' and an opening thereof faces an in use downward direction and in a general direction of the attachment body 154'. The second embodiment 32' lacks a spacing arm.

The in use horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b preferably has a lower male engagement element 188, for engagement with the female engagement element 152 of the first embodiment of the cladding support element 32, and an upper male engagement element 190, for engagement with the female engagement element 152' of the second embodiment of the cladding support element 32'. The upper male engagement element 188 preferably extends above and below the upper wall 122 of the elongate mounting member 24b and the lower male engagement element 190 extends above and below the lower wall 124 of the elongate mounting member 24b. Both male engagement elements 188, 190 are here elongate in an in use horizontal direction and have a strip shape, although other forms may be considered. Each male engagement element 188, 190 is preferably angularly offset relative to the elongate mounting member 24b and more preferably is angular offset from a back wall 120 of the elongate mounting member 24. Here the offset is between 1 and 30 degrees away from the back wall 120 of the elongate mounting member 24b and is more preferably between 5 and 15 degrees away from the back wall 120 of the elongate mounting member 24, although other offsets, including an offset towards the elongate mounting member 24, may be considered.

The back wall 120 preferably has an upper fastener receiving aperture 192 and lower fastener receiving aperture 194, although other upper and lower attachment means may be considered. The lower male engagement element 188 here has a head portion 196 which may allow for the female engagement element 152 to engage thereunder to provide an enhanced holding effect.

Whilst a female engagement element is described for the cladding support element and a male engagement element is described for the elongate mounting member, it will be 30 appreciated that cladding support element may have a male engagement element and the elongate mounting member may have a female engagement element.

Referring to Figure 20, the third embodiment of the cladding support element 32" is shown. Here the third embodiment 32" is similar or identical to the first embodiment 32, with the exception that the depending portion 178" of the spacing arm 176" third embodiment has a greater longitudinal extent that the depending portion 178 of the second embodiment. The fixing plate 172" preferably extends at or adjacent to a plane defined by a top wall 196-of the attachment body 154".

Referring again to Figure 18, the exterior cladding element 36 is shown attached to the cladding support element 32 to form a cladding panel 38. To assist alignment and attachment of the cladding element 36 to the cladding support element 32, the cladding element 36 has a first locator 198 and a second locator 200 at an in-use top-to-bottom predetermined spacing from each other. The predetermined spacing in turn is determined from a desired in use vertical height of the cladding panel 38. The first and second locators 198, 200 shown here are of adjacent cladding panels 38. An upper cladding support element 32 has a third locator 202 and a lower cladding support element 32' has a fourth locator 204 which correspond to the first and second locators 198, 200, respectively. The first locator 198 is at least in part receivable in the third locator 202 or vice versa and the second locator 200 is at least in part received in the fourth locator 204 or vice versa. Here the first locator 198 is received in the third locator 202 and the second locator 200 is received in the fourth locator 204. This is by virtue of the first and second locators 198, 200 each having an inwardly protruding wall 206, which may be received in the third and fourth locator 202,204 respectively. The first and second locators 198, 200 may therefore be countersunk holes. The third and fourth locator 202, 204 are here longitudinally extending grooves or channel, although it will be appreciated that they may in fact each be one or more recesses or holes. There is preferably here a plurality of first and second locators 198, 200.

The cladding element 36 is here preferably formed of deformable or malleable material, for example aluminium sheet although stainless steel, other metals, plastics and/or other materials may be considered. Before attachment to the cladding support elements 32, 32', the cladding element 36 may be planar, for example the cladding element 36 may be a square or rectangular sheet. The first locator 198 is provided at a predetermined distance away from a proximal-most horizontal edge, which is here at an upper horizontal edge of the cladding element 36. The second locator 200 is similar positioned at alower horizontal edge of the cladding element 36 The first embodiment of the cladding support element 32 preferably has the first locator 198 on the in use upper attachment surface 156. The second embodiment of the cladding 5 support element 32' has the second locator 200 on the in use lower attachment surface 156'.

The cladding element 36 preferably further comprises at least one fifth locator at or adjacent to a vertical edge of the cladding element 36, and more preferably adjacent to a corner. The cladding support element 32 preferably includes a sixth locator 208, corresponding to the fifth locator, at a side surface of the cladding support element 32. The fifth and sixth locators 208 are countersunk holes and the fifth locator is receivable in the sixth locator 208. The cladding element 36 preferably includes one fifth locator at or adjacent to each corner of the cladding element 36. Laterally spaced fifth locators preferably have a predetermined spacing. Both first and second embodiments of the cladding support elements 32, 32' preferably each include a sixth locator 208.

The built-up wall 10 is constructed by firstly erecting the mounting surface 12 or back wall of the building or base 58 structure The waterproof layer 14 may then be applied to the exterior facing surface of the mounting surface 12, although it will be appreciated that this may not extend across the entirety of the mounting surface 12 The built-up-wall attachment apparatus 16 is then attached to the mounting surface 12, and here so that it extends through the waterproof layer 14. To attach the built-up-wall attachment apparatus 16 the built-up-wall bracket 18, with the rear sealing element 20 thereon, is positioned so that the rear sealing element 20 engages the waterproof layer 14. The built-up-wall bracket 18 is orientated so that a longitudinal extent is aligned with a vertical direction. At least part of the fastener receiving aperture 40 of the bracket 18 extends over and/or overlaps a preformed fastener receiving aperture in the mounting surface 12. A fastener 42 having a circular cross-section is then inserted through the slot shaped fastener receiving aperture 40 in the bracket 18 and into the mounting surface 12. In doing so the fastener 42 extends through the rear sealing element 20, which may be via a preformed slit or hole. Alternatively, the fastener 42 penetrates through the rear sealing element 20, forming a hole as it does so. The hole in the rear sealing element 20 preferably has at least one dimension, for example width and/or height, that is less that the diameter of the fastener 42 and therefore the rear sealing element 20 positive engages the fastener 42 and seals thereto. The non-circularity of the fastener receiving aperture 40 enables adjustability and/or a greater tolerance of the positioning of the built-up-wall bracket 18 with respect to the mounting surface 12.

The fastener 42 preferably has a sealing washer 48 around a shaft of fastener 42 and at or adjacent to head of the fastener 42. The sealing washer 48 seals the front of the fastener receiving aperture 40. The built-up-wall bracket 18 is further attached via a further fastener 42 in a similar or identical way.

An elongate mounting member 24, which in this case is the vertically aligned elongate-mounting member 24a or mullion, is then attached to the built-up-wall bracket 18. To assist with this process the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 is attached to the builtup-wall bracket 18. The elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 may be preinstalled on the built-up-wail bracket 18. To attach the built-up-wall bracket 18 to the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22, the bracket receiver 54 is inserted into the slots 76 of the built-up-wall bracket 18. The base 58 of the bracket receiver 54 therefore engages one side of the bracket 18 and the lips 56 of the bracket receiver 54 engage the other side of the bracket 18. The rearward side wall 62 of the U-shaped channel of the bracket receiver 54, by virtue of being at a non-perpendicular angle to the base 58, positively engages a corresponding wall of the slot 76. The elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 is therefore secured relative to the built-up-wall bracket 18. The elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 may be additionally or more securely attached by inserting a fastener 68 through the bracket 18 in between the slots 76 and through the base 58 of the bracket receiver 54. Preferably, one elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 is attached to each of the top and bottom edges of the built-up-wall bracket 18.

The elongate mounting member 24a is then inserted between the clamping element 70 of the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 and the built-up-wall bracket 18. To accomplish this the clamping element 70 of the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22 may be required to be elastically deformed away from the built-up-wall bracket 18 to allow the web 78 of elongate mounting member 24a to be inserted adjacent to the builtup-wall bracket 18 The clamping element 70 can then rebound so as to clamp the elongate mounting member 24a. The end 72 point or ridge of the hooked portion of the clamping element 70 preferably complimentarily engages with the grooves 74 on the web 78 of the elongate mounting member 24a.

Having been clamped, the elongate mounting member 24a is then secured to the built-up-wall bracket 18 via an attachment means separate to the elongate-mounting-member clamp 22. Here the attachment means is a fastener, although it will be appreciated that other attachment means may be provided. Such attachment is preferably a permanent attachment.

The clamping element 70 can then be detached or released from the built-up-wall bracket 18 via its detachable attachment means 52. The clamping element 70 is removed so as to remove the obstruction it provides around the built-up-wall bracket 18. Insulation 28 can then be packed up against the built-up-wall bracket 18, without any gaps improving an insulative effect compared to if the clamping element was left in place and a space between the clamping element and the elongate mounting member would be difficult and/or time consuming to fill with insulation.

The built-up-wall bracket 18, which at least in part projects away from the mounting surface 12, allows for a space between the cladding and the backwall, which is typically filled with insulation 28. Insulation sheets 28 may be positioned at or adjacent to the mounting surface 12 and/or the waterproof layer 14 on top of the mounting surface 12 The insulation 28 is preferably rockwool, although other forms of insulation 28 may be considered such as fibreglass batt. The insulation 28 is here secured at or to the mounting surface 12 by the insulation retaining element 26 which is mounted on the elongate mounting member 24.

One or more first embodiments of the insulation retaining element 26 may be attached to the vertically aligned elongate mounting member 24a. Two insulation retaining elements 26 may be positioned at or adjacent to each other, either side of the web 78 of the elongate mounting member 24. The insulation retaining element 26 is attached to the elongate mounting member 24 via an interference fit which is achieved firstly by inserting the first interference member 94 into the first notch 84 or groove of the elongate mounting member 24. The insulation retaining element 26 is then rotated about the first notch 84 and away from the building so that the second interference member 96 is inserted into the second notch 86 and the protrusion 88 of the elongate mounting member 24 is received behind the lip 98 of the second interference member 96. In this way the insulation retaining element 26 is clipped in place or held in place via an interference fit.

If the insulation retaining element 26 is desired to be detached from the elongate mounting member 24, a tool, such as a screw driver 205 may be used to apply leverage at the leverage element 112. In this way the insulation retaining element 26 may be rotated about the first interference member 94 towards the building so as to cause the second interference member 96 to detach from the elongate mounting member 24.

The insulation retaining member 100 is then articulated, deformed or bent to engage the insulation 28. The insulation retaining member 100 is first articulated about the first recess 102 so that the intermediate portion 106 is directed towards the insulation 28 and may engage the insulation 28. The insulation retaining member 100 is then articulated about the second recess 104 so that the end portion 108 is parallel with the exterior facing surface 158 of the insulation 28. The insulation 28 is preferably deformed inwards and/or inwardly compressed. In this way the insulation 28 is positively engaged or held against the mounting surface 12 or back wall by the insulation retaining element 26. A fastener 110, such as a screw, may be inserted through the end portion 108 to provide mechanical fastening between insulation retaining element 26 and the insulation 28. However, the fastener 110 would not extend through the whole thickness of the insulation 28, extending only part of the way through. Therefore, a thermal break through the entirety of a thickness of the insulation 28 is maintained and/or thermal bridging is prevented or limited.

The zero or minimal penetration of the insulation retaining element 100 also reduces or eliminates possible water or moisture penetration from the exterior of the built-up wall to 25 the interior surfaces This significantly reduces problems associated with water ingress, thereby improving longevity and improving thermal insulative characteristics.

Horizontally aligned elongate mounting members 24b are then attached to the vertically aligned elongate mounting member 24a. This is achieved by pre-attaching the or each secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30 to the vertically aligned elongate mounting member 24a before erection of the vertically aligned elongate mounting member 24a.

First, at least one said primary elongate mounting member 24a along with installation-site pitch data is provided. A plurality of secondary-elongate-mounting-members receivers 138 are attached by off-site manufacturers on said primary elongate mounting member 24a in accordance with said pitch data. The primary elongate mounting member 24a with secondary-elongate-mounting-members receivers 138 mounted thereto is then transporting to an installation site.

For example, the first embodiment of the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element 30 is formed by stamping or forming a plurality of receivers 138 into the receiver body 132. The receivers 138 are spaced according to the pitch data. The receiver body 132 may then be slid or inserted through or into the channel 82 of the flange 80 of the vertically aligned elongate mounting member 24a, or primary elongate mounting member 24, so as to be retained therein. The primary elongate mounting member 24, with receivers 138 attached, is transported to the site of construction of the built-up wall 10 and is then erected. Secondary or horizontally aligned elongate mounting members 24b are then inserted into the receivers 138. The built-up wall 10 comprises a plurality of primary elongate mounting members 24a, each with receivers 138 for the secondary elongate mounting members 24b. The receivers 138 on different primary elongate mounting members 24a are aligned so that each secondary elongate mounting member 24b is supported by a plurality of primary elongate mounting members 24a.

For the second embodiment of the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receivers 138', these are preferably individually attached to the primary elongate mounting member 24a, for example via a fastener 148', according to the pitch data. The transportation and erection of the primary elongate mounting member 24a with receivers attached is the same as previously described.

Having attached at least one secondary or horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b to the vertically aligned elongate mounting member 24a, the second and/or third embodiment of the insulation retaining element 26', 26" may be attached to the horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b. The second and third embodiments 26', 26-are attached and retain insulation 28 in the same or similar way. The first interference member 94', 94" is preferably hooked around the lower protrusion U6 or ridge of the lower wall 124 of the horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b.

The insulation retaining element 26', 26" is then pivoted about the first interference member 94', 94 so that the lip 98', 98-of the second interference member 96', 96-locks, latches or attaches to the upper protrusion 128. The intermediate portion 106' 106" of the insulation retaining member 100', 100" is then extended towards the insulation 28 5 and the end portion 108', 108" is extended so as to be aligned or parallel with the insulation 28. The insulation retaining member 100', 100-preferably extends into the insulation 28 such that it is positively engaged or clamped to the back wall 120. A fastener 110', 110-may be used to fasten the insulation retaining member 100', 100 to the insulation 28 in the same or similar way as previously described for the first embodiment 10 of the insulation retaining element 26.

To attach cladding to the horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b, the builtup-wall cladding attachment assembly 34 is used which includes the cladding support element 32 mounted on the horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b. The first embodiment of the cladding support element 32 is attached to the horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b by fitting the female engagement element 152 of the cladding support element 32 over the upper male engagement element 190 of the elongate mounting member 24. The male engagement element 190, being angularly offset to the female engagement element 152 positively engages the or each side wall 162, 164 of the female engagement element 152. The fixing means 170, which may include a fastener 174, is used to fix the cladding support element 32 to the upper fastener receiving aperture 192 of the back wall 120, the elongate spacing arm 176 allowing for the fixing means 170 to reach the upper fastener receiving aperture 192. The ratcheting means 182 allows for the fixing means 170 to be temporarily held in position whilst a final position is determined. Once fixed, the spacing arm 176 may provide a closing force on the female engagement element 152 around the head portion 196 of the lower male engagement element 188. Therefore, the first embodiment of the cladding support element 32 is held in place.

The second embodiment of the cladding support element 32' is attached to the upper male engagement member 192 of an adjacent lower horizontally aligned elongate mounting 30 member 24b. The second embodiment may not be fastened by a mechanical fastener 42.

The exterior cladding element 36 is then attached between the first and second embodiments of the cladding support element 32, 32' of adjacent horizontal elongate mounting members 24b, forming a cladding panel 38. The attachment of exterior cladding elements 36 is described further below. A further cladding panel 38 is then attached above 5 the initial cladding panel 38 by attaching a further second embodiment of the cladding support element 32' to the upper male engagement member 192 of the initial horizontally aligned elongate support element; a further first embodiment of the cladding support element 32 is attached to the lower male engagement member 188 of an adjacent upper horizontally aligned elongate mounting member 24b; and a further exterior cladding 10 element 36 is attached therebetween.

Each cladding panel 38 has an extent such that it conceals the upper fastener receiving aperture 192 of the lower elongate mounting member 24b to which it is attached, as shown in Figure 18. Therefore, the first embodiment of the cladding support element 32 of said lower elongate mounting member 24b is unable to be detached without first removing the above cladding panel 38. To circumvent this issue, for example for cladding panels 38 which may be required to be frequently removed, the third embodiment of the cladding support element 32" may be used instead of the first embodiment 32. In this instance, the attachment of the third embodiment 32" is similar or identical to the attachment of the first embodiment 32. This is with the exception that the fixing means 170" of the third embodiment is attached to the lower fastener receiving aperture 194 of the associated horizontally extending elongate mounting member 24b. The lower fastener receiving aperture 194 is accessible even with a cladding panel 38 attached thereabove.

The cladding panel 38 is formed by attaching the exterior cladding element 36 to two first embodiments of the cladding support element 32 and two second embodiments of the cladding support element 32' The first embodiments of the cladding support element 32 are each attached at or adjacent to an upper corner or upper edge of the exterior cladding element 36 and the second embodiments 32' are each attached at or adjacent to a lower corner or lower horizontal edge of the exterior cladding element 36. Therefore, each exterior cladding element 36 is supported by four cladding support elements 32, although any number of cladding support elements 32 may be considered.

The exterior cladding element 36 is mounted to the first and second embodiment of the cladding support element 32' by first bending, deforming or wrapping the exterior cladding element 36 to conform to the exterior form of the cladding support element 32. Such bending may be achieved accurately by aligning the first and third locators 198, 202 5 with the second and fourth locators 200, 204 respectively so as to overlie each other. A fastener 160 may then be inserted through the overlain locators so as to attach them to each other. The preformed first and second locators 198, 200 at a predetermined distance therebetween require the cladding support elements 32 to be accurately positioned in order to receive the cladding support element 32. Therefore, the height or vertical extent 10 of each panelling element is consistent and/or uniform across the building or section of the building.

The fifth and sixth locators 208 are also aligned and a fastener inserted therethrough to similarly ensure a width or horizontal extent of the panelling element is consistent and/or uniform across the building or section of the building.

Chi-value (±,), U-value (U) and condensation risk analysis (CRA) of thc above-described system, using a dew-point line analysis for interstitial condensation risk, has been independently undertaken. The bracket described above may be any suitable material, such as metal or plastics, but in this case is stainless steel. Similar, the vertical and horizontal support element, being support rails, may also be any suitable materials, such as metal or plastics, but for the purposes of the confidential laboratory research and development testing, was assumed to be extruded aluminium. The exterior cladding, also known in the field as skin, was assumed to be metal for the purposes of the testing to create a worst-case scenario in terms of thermal characteristics and moisture penetration.

For a metal bracket and rail system, the heat loss is well-understood in the field to be mainly through the end of the bracket and the initial rail, in this scenario being the support rail to which the exterior cladding is mounted. This means that although this is a worst-case study with a metal skin, the values reported in the test, in theory, should not be significantly higher than for different cladding systems, such as terracotta or Trespa RTNI cladding.

It was noted by the testers that the above-described system has unusual features for a cladding system, introduced in order to address the speed and quality of installation It was expected by the testers that these would deliver significant thermal improvements.

The testers observed no surface condensation risks in these models Regarding the risk of interstitial condensation, the testers noted that the use of a stainless-steel bracket generally creates an improved environment Regarding heat loss, the testers noted that, with the above-described design, the Chi values are 'remarkably low' The independent tester's report also noted that, although workmanship is not considered within the thermal standards, the difficulty of fitting rigid or semi-rigid insulation around brackets often creates air gaps around the brackets and struts, increasing the actual real-life heat loss compared to calculated values The above-described system 'substantially avoids these air gaps, giving greater confidence that the 'real world' performance of the system will substantially match calculated values'.

It is therefore possible to provide an independently-tested and confirmed improved built-up wall. The sealing element which seals the fastener receiving slot on the built-up-wall bracket prevents or limits a moisture pathway through the slot whilst allowing adjustability of the position of the fastener and in use expansion of the fastener. The detachable elongate-mounting-member clamping element allows for the elongate-mounting member to be temporarily held. The clamping element can then be detached when not required to so as to allow for insulation to be packed up against the built-up-wall bracket which provides an improved insulative effect. The insulation retaining element allows for insulation to be held against the mounting surface which prevents a thermal path created by fasteners extending through the whole of the insulation to rear or back surfaces of the built-up wall. The secondary-elongate-member receivers having a spacing predetermined and set offsite prevent or limit a pitch of the secondary elongate member to be measured on site. The built-up-wall cladding attachment assembly prevents wind rattle of panels. The preformed locators allow for uniformity of a size and shape of panels.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims 2. 3A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element for receiving a secondary elongate mounting member of a built-up wall, the secondary-elongatemounting-member receiving element comprising: a receiver body having a slot-engaging portion adapted to be received within a slot of an in-use primary elongate mounting member and a secondaryelongate-mounting-member-receiving portion; the secondary-elongate-mounting-member-receiving portion defining a secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver having a detent to retain the in use secondary elongate mounting member in the receiver.
A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detent includes an upper detent member and lower detent member.
A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each detent is an inward taper at the edge of the opening of the receiver.
A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver is a recess.
A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver body has a plurality of secondary-elongate-mounting-member receivers formed thereon.
A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the slot-engaging portion has a uniform cross-section so as to be slidable in the primary elongate mounting member.
A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver body includes a fastener receiving aperture for receiving a fastener so as to fix the receiver body relative to the in use primary elongate mounting member.
8 A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slot-engaging portion includes a plurality of ridges or grooves for engagement with side walls of the channel.
9 A secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slot-engaging portion includes a concave recess which opposes the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiver.
10. A built-up wall comprising the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
11 A built-up wall as claimed in claim 10, comprising the primary elongate mounting member which is vertically aligned and the secondary elongate mounting member which is horizontally aligned, the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receiving element being received by the primary elongate mounting member and the secondary elongate mounting member being received by the secondaryelongate-mounting-member receiving element
12 A method of off-site setting of a pitch of secondary elongate mounting members to be held by at least one primary elongate mounting member of a built-up wall, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing at least one said primary elongate mounting member along with installation-site pitch data; b] locating a plurality of secondary-elongate-mounting-member receivers on said primary elongate mounting member in accordance with said pitch data, and c] transporting the receiver-located primary elongate mounting member to an installation site.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plurality of secondary-elongatemounting-member receivers have a unitarily formed receiver body in which each receiver is formed.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said plurality of secondary-elongatemounting member receivers includes separate receiver bodies for each secondaryelongate-mounting member receiver.
15 A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the secondary-elongate-mounting-member receivers are provided by at least one secondaryelongate-mounting-member receiving element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.