WO1995022670A1

WO1995022670A1 - An arrangement for the covering of an underlying structure

Info

Publication number: WO1995022670A1
Application number: PCT/FI1995/000040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Risto Johannes Hukka
Original assignee: Rakennusosakeyhtiö Eretuotanto
Priority date: 1994-02-17
Filing date: 1995-01-27
Publication date: 1995-08-24
Also published as: FI940751A0; FI940751A; RU2142040C1; EE03273B1; AU1538495A

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface element arrangement intended for coating a wall or the like underlying structure, each element (1, 1a) comprising a stiffening surface layer (3) made of a sheet material, as well as an insulation layer (4, 4a) to be positioned in the space between said surface layer (3) and said underlying structure (2). The invention further relates to a method for forming such an element. At least one edge (7a) of the surface layer (3) of each element (1a) to be installed is shaped in such a manner that it will shape fit to the opposite fastening edge (7) of an element (1) which is already installed. Said insulation layer (4, 4a) will be positioned with its one surface (24) immediately against the underlying structure (2) to be coated and while the opposite surface of said insulation (4, 4a) is essentially permanently fastened (30) directly to the inner surface of said surface layer (3) in such a manner that said surface layer (3) of each element (1, 1a) will function as a member which carries said insulation (4, 4a) and keepts it against said underlying structure (2) to be coated, said arrangement further comprising fastening and/or supporting means (16, 26, 27, 28) which extend from the surface layer of said element (1, 1a) to said underlying structure (2).

Description

An arrangement for the covering of an underlying structure

The invention relates to a method and means for covering a wall or the like underlying structure using a separate covering cassette or element comprising insulation and a sur¬ face sheet. Especially, the invention relates to a surface element arrangement intended for covering a wall or the like underlying structure, each element comprising a stiffening surface layer made of sheet material and an insulating layer to be arranged in the space between said surface layer and the underlying structure, where at least one edge of each element to be installed is so formed that, due to its shape, it will be in register with the opposite surface layer fastening edge of an element already attached.

Prior art knows different ways and methods for covering or coating walls. Usually these are related to the covering of an existing old wall with, on one hand, additional insulation and, on the other hand, with a new surface of covering material. The covering of such an underlying structure with a covering cassette or element is a rapid and favorable way of giving a new look to an old wall and for improving other pro¬ perties of said wall.

As an example of such a covering method and structure the structure according to Finnish patent No 68699 can be men¬ tioned, wherein a sheet metal cover which is stiffened by a separate stiffening structure, is fastened to an old existing wall, under which cover e. g. glass wool is arranged as addi¬ tional insulation. Such a covering method is rapid and favor¬ able, but it has the drawback of a relative complexity. Prior art arrangements have rather numerous separate work stages and usually numerous small fastening parts are used which as a first step are attached to said underlying structure after which the surface cassette proper is attached to said parts. Alternatively special fastening means are attached to the covering element proper, and this is then fastened to the structure. From patent literature one also knows other arrange¬ ments intended for the use discussed, said arrangements gene¬ rally being even more complicated and wherein a considerable amount of separate parts must be interconnected during the installation.

In the facade field one also knows different wall structure arrangements comprising different materials having a surface layer on each side. Such structures are usually not well adapted for covering existing walls and they further still have the drawback that it is usually difficult to control the humidity conditions. Also in case of the installation of such structures one, as a rule, needs many small parts.

Known arrangements further suffer from the drawback that the installation demands the fastening of fasteners at some usual¬ ly very exactly defined locations in the covering element as well as in the underlying structure. Especially during renova¬ tion of existing structures this may be very difficult in work site conditions since the work must be performed on a location positioned outdoors and mostly high up and often the quality of the wall to be coated is such that one cannot find a good and reliable attachment point for a fastener in the area where the installation would demand one. In known arrangements there is also the drawback that a possible insulation must be instal¬ led separately in the space between the surface element and the underlying structure. In all arrangements known at present one, in practice, has been forced to accept a fairly manual production and it has proven impossible to realize, in a meaningful manner, an industrial scale production and instal¬ lation of cassettes and elements.

The present invention represents a further development of the solutions according to the one disclosed in the Finnish patent mentioned above and it makes it possible to avoid the draw¬ backs of the earlier method and to achieve an especially ef¬ fective way of covering. The characteristics of the invention are more exactly evident from the appended claims and they are mainly based on the realization that when the insulation is essentially permanently fastened directly to the surface layer of the element one actually obtains a quite stiff element arrangement which, μsing simple methods, can be handled and securely as a quite large entity in work site conditions and be attached to an existing structure, and where, however, one simultaneously also can give up the use of the second back side surface layer of some hitherto known actual wall ele¬ ments, said layer usually being mostly harmful. In connection with the stiff element made in a manner according to the in¬ vention one can simultaneously, in a very easy way, realize such a fastening arrangement, where there usually appears no difficulties in finding a durable fastening point in the under¬ lying structure.

In the arrangement according to the invention the insulation layer will thus be located with its one surface directly against the underlying structure to be coated and on its op¬ posite surface the insulation layer is essentially permanently attached directly to the inner surface of the surface layer of each element in such a manner that said surface layer of each element as such acts as a carrier for the insulation and as the element holding said insulation against the underlying structure to be coated. Correspondingly, said insulation layer acts as a stiffener for said surface layer, whereby said sur¬ face layer itself actually can be made relatively thin, still without limiting the size of the element in any way. On the contrary, using an arrangement in accordance with the in¬ vention one can realize very large elements, which in fact may even cover the width of a whole wall area in one single ope¬ ration, where the only significant restricting factor in prac¬ tice is the transportation of the elements. By producing the elements on the work site even this restriction can be eli¬ minated. Since that surface of the element, which will be located against the underlying structure to be coated, is formed only of insulation one essential feature of the in¬ ventive arrangement further comprises special fastening and/or supporting means which extend from the surface layer of the element to the underlying structure.

At least one edge of each element is thus so formed that it will be in register against the opposite fastening edge of an element already fastened, preferably so that the surface layer of the element comprises fold portions which match with cor¬ responding fold portions in an adjacent element so that the element with one of its edges is in register with the opposite edge of an element already fitted in position.

According to the invention the insulation material is attached as such, e. g. glued directly to the surface layer of the ele¬ ment and preferably there are ventilation chutes arranged in the insulation surface which will be directed towards said surface layer. According to the invention the insulation' s opposite surface, which will be directed away from the surface layer will be arranged so that its insulation surface is directly against the underlying structure, e. g. against the outer surface of an existing wall structure. Thus a structure having additional insulation can easily and effectively be achieved, said structure meeting all thermal and humidity related standards.

The arrangement according to the invention comprises as an essential part fastening means for attaching the element to the underlying installation structure. According to a prefer¬ red embodiment of the invention these fastening means com¬ prise, at one edge, i. e. the fastening edge of the element, a perforated generally L-shaped rail-like long lath portion which extends from said surface layer to the wall, whereby the rail-portion' s free flange which is directed away from said element constitutes a long fastening flange for attaching the element to the wall. The perforation of this L-shaped rail- like lath portion preferably extends at least to the portion which will be located at the position of ventilation chutes in the insulation.

According to a favorable method in accordance with the in- vention mutually complementary pairs of folds are formed in the opposite edges of the surface layer of each element so that the surface layers of adjacent positioned elements may be interlocked into an essentially common plane. In the surface of the insulation material ventilation grooves or chutes are, correspondingly, formed at least in that surface which will be positioned against the surface layer, and said insulation material is attached to said surface layer e. g. by gluing, whereby the opposite surface of said insulation material is left essentially bare.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention an essentially L-shaped rail-like lath portion is made of per¬ forated sheet material or alternatively at a specially per¬ forated portion of one edge of the surface layer sheet, said lath portion extending along one folded edge of the surface layer. Said L-shaped rai-like lath portion is attached in a force-transferring manner at one of its outer flange portions to the outer folded edge of said surface layer.

Elements formed in the above described manner are subsequently arranged one above the other and/or side by side in order to cover the surface to be coated, whereby each element is fastened at one of its edges to the surface to be coated through that flange of said L-shaped lath portion which ex¬ tends from the edge of the element, or alternatively using special fastening devices to be more closely discussed below.

In the construction field the invention provides quite new possibilities for industrial activities. In the first place the element according to the invention is such that it is extremely well suited for industrial production. This is especially facilitated by the nature of the sheet work which expressly is adapted for the roller forming method, instead of the folding press method presently used. Hence it is favorable to manufacture the elements both in an in-house industrial environment and, in special cases, also at the work site. In the second place the arrangement according to the invention enables the utilization of very large elements. This is especially due to the fact that the insulation layer fastened directly to the surface layer at the same time acts as an effective stiffener so that even a very large element can be handled securely e. g. by a crane and without risk of damage. This, on the other hand, implies that in practice one can use elements which extend unbroken over the whole facade, i. e. the elements may be 10 to 15 times larger than any elements used at the present. This brings an essential advantage since slow manual labor at the work site may be avoided to a large extent.

Especially regarding large elements, it should be observed that in such elements the deformations due to temperature changes may be quite considerable. In prior art arrangements this has constituted a problem and for this reason the indi¬ vidual cassettes or elements usually have been made small in size, whereby attempts have been made to control the deforma¬ tions using different connecting and fastening methods. In the solution according to the invention the problem has been seen in quite a different manner and thus it is accepted that the element may change its dimensions even to quite a considerable extent in accordance with changes in the temperature. In the solution according to the invention there is no attempt to manage the thermal expansion and retraction using rigid ar¬ rangements, but instead such movements are accepted and their impacts are covered in each end of the element using special covering laths behind which the end of the element is allowed to ove in to a certain extent. Correspondingly, the essential¬ ly free contact between the fastening edges of the elements according to the invention permit, without any disadvantage, a certain degree of mutual movement.

The invention will now be more closely described with refe¬ rence to the appended drawing, wherein:

Fig 1 in a perspective partial section shows the connection of elements in accordance with one embodiment of the in- vention, as well as a fastening arrangement according to a favorable embodiment,

Fig 2 shows a general arrangement essentially corresponding to that of Fig 1, wherein the design of the fastening edges in the elements are slightly different and where the fastening arrangement for the elements differs from the arrangement according to Fig 1, and

Fig 3 shows an alternative fastening arrangement.

All the Figures show a section, in a first sectional plane, of an upper edge of a first element, e. g. a lower one, and a wall structure located thereunder, as well as a section, in a plane which for clarity reasons is slightly displaced with respect to said first sectional plane, of a second element to be ar¬ ranged generally above said first element. Such elements are in a sufficient number interconnected in a corresponding man¬ ner to cover the structure to be coated.

In the Figures element portions are generally indicated with the reference numbers 1 and la, respectively, and behind them a portion of a wall or other underlying structure is generally indicated with the reference number 2. Said elements 1, la have a surface layer 3 which usually is made of a conventional sheet material, preferably a resin coated galvanized steel or other metal sheet. An insulation layer 4 .and 4a, respectively, is attached to said surface layer 3 by gluing or in the like manner, said insulation layer usually extending over the whole thickness of said element 1, la, respectively, in other words up to the wall 2 to be coated. In this connection it should be especially observed that by arranging one surface of said insulation 4, 4a, i. e. the surface 24 which is to be directed away from said surface layer, as such directly against the underlying structure 2 located behind the cover arrangement, a structure which is integral with the wall structure 2 located behind the elements will be provided. Said integral structure functions in thermal and humidity respect in a manner corres- ponding to that of said underlying structure but its insu¬ lating thickness is greater and its outer surface is as desired.

For insulation 4, 4a one usually uses conventional semi-hard constructional insulation, preferably e. g. hard glass or rock wool, which by gluing or the like manner is fastened directly onto the inner side surface of said surface layer 3 which will be directed towards the structure. In the Figures this surface is generally indicated with the reference number 30. The direct fastening of a hard insulation mattress 4, 4a to the back side 30 of said surface layer 3 will stiffen up the sur¬ face layer sheet 3, which otherwise is rather flexing, so that a stiff element is formed which even in large dimensions can be handled without risk using e. g. a work site crane. The glass or rock wool as such is porous and therefore ventilation must be arranged in said insulation sheet 4, 4a at least at the outer surface thereof prior to the attachment. A grooving arranged for ventilation purposes generally comprises both vertical 5, 5a and horizontal 6, 6a grooves, the outermost groove 6a being adjacent to the edges 7 and 7a, respectively, of said surface layers 3. These grooves, however, do not have any considerable impact on the stiffness of the element. Especially in Figure 2 can be seen that the depth of said grooves 5, 5a, 6, 6a at least in the area of said edges 7, 7a favorably is made so large that, between said edges 7, 7a and the insulation, there remains a sufficient ventilation chute which in Figure 2 is indicated with reference number 5b.

At opposite edges 7, 7a of said surface layer 3 there are folds which give said edges 7, 7a such a shape that elements 1 and la arranged in a side by side position or one above the other will be aligned at matching edges 7, 7a and in certain cases will even interlock so that a movement between said elements 1 and la in a plane transverse to the extent of said surface layer 3 is restrained. In practice this is favorably accomplished e. g. so that one edge 7 of said surface layer 3 comprises a first fold 8 and a second fold 9 bent in the same direction, whereby, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plane of the back edge of the sheet material in said surface layer 3 will be located essentially parallel to the outer surface plane of said surface layer 3. Simultaneously a set-off sill 10 is formed, the supporting direction of which is directed away from the wall 2 to be coated. In order to facilitate the alignment said set-off sill 10 is favorably such that its plane is slightly inclined with respect to the general plane in which said elements 1, la extend.

Favorably the opposite edge 7a of said surface layer 3 is also shaped, suitably by folding, so that therein is formed a counter piece constituting a complementary portion to said first edge. Thus there will exist a third fold 11, the magni¬ tude of which will be such that the angular sum of said fold 11 and said fold 8 at said first edge 7 will be about 180°. Said edge 7a further comprises a fourth fold 12, the magnitude and direction of which corresponds to said second fold 9 at said first edge 7. Thus one edge 7a at each element la com¬ prises a counter sill 13 which co-acts with said sill 10 at said first edge 7 at an element 1 located below or adjacent to the element la discussed, so that the outer surfaces of said elements 1 and la will be aligned in a common plane.

In order to achieve an insulation as effective as possible the insulation material is essentially dimensioned so that the insulation layer 4 and 4a of each element 1 and la, respective¬ ly, to essential portions, except for said ventilation grooves 5, 5a, 6, 6a, continue at least at two adjacent edges of said element 1, la, so far that the edge surface 25 of each insu¬ lation layer 4 as such will meet the edge surface 25a of a corresponding insulation layer 4a at a similar element la, 1 arranged in the vicinity of the respective element 1, la. Thus said insulation 4, 4a in practice continues as an essentially integral layer over the complete structure 2 to be coated, with exception only for the essentially sheet-like fastening means. According to one embodiment of the invention opposite insu¬ lation edges 25, 25a are favorably so shaped that they, as such, facilitate the mutual alignment of the elements 1, la. In this case each element favorably comprises interacting sill surfaces 14 and 15 which further are favorably slightly in¬ clined. At one of the element edges said sill surface 15 is favorably formed directly in the insulation and at the other edge, in an embodiment according to Figure 1, a corresponding design is arranged in the rail-like lath 16 at the fastening edge, said lath suitably being generally L-shaped and simul¬ taneously acting as a fastener for the element. As such said L-shaped lath can be integral with said surface layer 3 but favorably said lath 16 is formed of a separate sheet-like piece, the thickness of which suitably is slightly greater than the thickness of the surface layer 3 material, in order to achieve the necessary stiffness and strength with respect to the fastening.

According to Figure 1 said generally L-shaped rail-like lath portion 16 suitably comprises a first long flange 17 being mainly intended for the fastening of the whole element 1. Said flange 17 extends preferably along the whole width of said element 1, la, in which case the element in practice can be fastened to the underlying structure at any location at the edge of the element 1, la. The attachment of each element 1, la to the wall 2 or to another underlying structure will favorably take place so that one element la in turn is ar¬ ranged above or correspondingly at the side of an element located below or at the side, in which case said sills 10 and 13 as well as the groove and tongue structures formed by said sill surfaces 14, 15, which favorably are slightly inclined with respect to the general direction of extent of the ele¬ ment, will be located in a mutually interlocked manner. After this, the lastly positioned element la is fastened to said underlying structure, e. g. directly onto a wall surface 2 to be covered, using said first flange 17 of said generally L-shaped rail-like lath portion located at the opposite fastening edge of said element la. Said generally L-shaped rail-like lath portion 16 according to the embodiment disclosed in Figure 1 is favorably manufactured from perforated sheet metal or the like, in which case said flange 17 comprises a pre-made perforation 18 for attachment purposes. Similarly there is a perforation 20 in the other flange 19, said perforation serving a ventilation later to be described. The outermost edge said second flange 19 of said L-shaped rail-like lath portion 16 is suitably connected, by a U-fold 21 or the like, to the outer edge of said surface layer 3 which edge simultaneously constitutes said sill 10. Here the alignment of the elements 1, la at the installation stage will be facilitated if the outermost edge 22 of said flange fold 21 slightly rises from the general level of the outermost portion of said flange 19. As such, the connection between said gene¬ rally L-shaped rail-like lath portion 16 and said edge 7 of the surface layer 3 can be constituted of the mere fold, where the permanence of said connection can be safeguarded e. g. using blind rivets or the like.

In order to permit thermal movements said L-shaped rail-like lath portion 16 is, according to one favorable embodiment of the invention, suitably so arranged that it is capable of fairly free movement with respect to the surface layer 3 and especially to its edge 7, being either completely free or so that it is attached to the edge portion 10 only at a mid portion of said element 1. In this embodiment said folds 8, 9, 11, 12 of the surface layer 3 are made favorably using roll forming, after which said L-shaped lath 16 is applied fairly loosely so that it in its installed state is capable of car¬ rying said surface layer 3 e. g. in a position shown in the drawing. When the relatively hard insulation sheet 4 , 4a now is fastened to said surface layer 3 in a manner shown in the drawing said flange 19 of said L-shaped lath 16 will remain by its fold 21 in such a position with respect to said edge 10 of the surface layer 3 that it cannot move in any other direction than in the longitudinal direction of the element. Thus, said lath 16 allows thermal movements of the element, regardless of the fact that said lath 16 as such is fastened to the under¬ lying structure at its one flange 17.

In Figures 2 and 3 fastening arrangements according to some alternative embodiments are disclosed. Thus, Figure 2 shows a fastening arrangement which is based on the use of bolts 26 or the like which extend all the way through the element 1, la to the underlying structure 2. Usually the insulation wool or the like is used as insulation material 4, 4a is so stiff that a bolt 26 or the like having a head or a washer of sufficient width does not make such an imprint in the surface of the element which would be improper with respect to the exterior. In this embodiment there could be reason to restrict the size of the elements to a certain extent, with respect to thermal movements, or alternatively the passages arranged for said bolts 26 should be made such that they allow a certain thermal movement.

On order to avoid possible deflections under any circumstances a special support member 27 can further be used for the bolt

26 or the like, as indicated in Figure 2, which support made as a shortish generally L-shaped piece of sheet metal or the like extends between said edge 7 and possibly edge 7a of the element 1 and the underlying structure 2, especially at those locations where said element 1, la, respectively, is fastened to the underlying structure 2. In this case said support member 27 supports the edge 7 of the element (1) suitably through a fold end portion 33. Such support elements 27 can be applied where necessary, and since each member 27 is arranged between the insulation layers 4, 4a of different elements 1, la such support members 27 normally do not need to be fastened in any special manner. According to one embodiment one or several of such support members 27 is, however, fastened in a power transferring manner to said edge 7, and in one embodi¬ ment said support member 27, as such, is formed as an integral extension of said edge 7. If the extent of said support member

27 in the direction of the edge of the element 1 is relatively long in comparison to the length of the element edge, said support member 27 could favorably be perforated in accordance with the above said. Since support elements 27 extend only over a portion of the extent between said edge 7 and the under¬ lying structure 2 there will remain a sufficient amount of openings for the ventilation, one such opening being indicated with the reference 5b in Figure 2.

In Figure 3 there is shown a fastening arrangement which dif¬ fers from the aforesaid and which comprises shortish separate fastening elements 28 folded suitably of sheet metal the like, said fastening elements 28 being attached to the underlying structure 2 using means known per se. Such a fastening element 28 comprises a flange or the like for attachment to the under¬ lying structure, as well as a support surface 29 at the op¬ posite end of a body extending over the insulation 4, 4a. In the embodiment disclosed in Figure 3 said support surface 29 is an angular generally V-shaped surface which in a similar manner matches with an element edge 7, 7a which is formed in a manner which slightly differs from the above described one. In this embodiment said edges 7, 7a and correspondingly said support surface 29 of said fastening element 28 may also be shaped in a different manner, e. g. in a U-shape or in some other compatible manner. At the installation it is quite easy to position said support surface portion 29 of said fastening element 28 since the end or support surface 29 of said fastening element 28 can be inserted as such, through said ventilation groove 6a at said edge 7 at each element 1, la, which groove extends in the direction of said edge and other¬ wise will remain open, between said edge 7 and the insulation under said edge 7, where said support surface 29 will carry said edge 7 and thus the complete element 1 and partially also the element la positioned above.

In accordance with the above the insulation material 4, 4a is fastened, suitably by gluing, directly to the back surface of the surface layer 3 of each element 1, la, which in the Figures generally is indicated with reference number 30. In order to arrange the ventilation the insulation material 4, 4a favorably comprises ventilation grooves 5, 5a, 6, 6a, as indi¬ cated above. Some (5, 5a) of said grooves extend essentially transversely to the horizontal edges 7, 7a of said elements 1, la, and other grooves (6, 6a, 6b) correspondingly extend in the direction of said edges 7, 7a. Any members which possibly would be located between the insulation material pieces 4 and 4a, respectively, of the different elements 1 and la, e. g. the generally L-shaped bearer lath 16 shown in Figure 1, or cor¬ respondingly the support- and bearer means 27 and 28, respec¬ tively, are favorably so arranged that said ventilation grooves 5, 5a, 6, 6a, 6b at each element arranged in position still remain in mutual contact. Thus, the web portion of said lath 16, which essentially passes through the structure, as indicated in Figure 1, comprises a perforation 20 which consti¬ tutes through-going ventilation channels for the vertical grooving 5, 5a, said channels extending from one element to the other. In the embodiments disclosed in Figures 2 and 3 the elements 26, 26a, 27, 28 used for the fastening and supporting only cover a part of the extent of the horizontal edges 7, 7a of the elements 1, la, and thus sufficient free space for the ventilation remains between said fastening and support ele¬ ments 26, 26a, 27, 28. If necessary also these shortish ele¬ ments 27, 28 can comprise a perforation 20 in order to guaran¬ tee the ventilation.

Correspondingly the insulation suitably comprises, in order to guarantee the direct passing through and thus an effective ventilation, at said edges 7, 7a longitudinal grooves or chutes 6a and 6d, respectively, which keep the connecting point 7-7a between the elements well ventilated, and which in the embodiment according to Figure 1 distribute the venti¬ lation to several holes 20 in said perforated sheet. In cer- tain special cases the insulation further comprises additional ventilation chutes 5a in the insulation surface which will be positioned against the wall 2 to be coated. In certain cases where the own functional insulating thickness of the wall 2 to be coated is relatively small that surface of the insulation material 4, 4a of each element 1, la which at the installation will contact the wall 2 to be coated also comprises a separate vapor barrier 31. The edge 32 of such a vapor barrier 31 is then preferably so arranged that it extends beyond the edge 25 of the element' s insulation, in which case a sufficient coverage is guaranteed. In connection with such elements it should, in connection with the installation, always be checked that the wall 2 to be coated as such is sufficiently permeable and that the condensation point in all cases will remain out¬ side said vapor barrier 31.

In the embodiments shown in the Figures one or several groove¬ like folds 23 are further made in the surface layer 3 and suitably at the location of each ventilation groove 6, said fold 23 stiffening up said surface layer 3 and simultaneously enlivening the appearance of the surface. In certain cases the folded edges 8 and 11, respectively, of said elements 1, la are shaped so that said edges upon interconnecting to their mutual sections are essentially shaped as said groove-like folds 23, and thus the completed surface will have a uniform appearance. In order to achieve a uniform appearance it is often appropriate that the element surface after the instal¬ lation is treated with some surface treatment known per se from the wall cassette technology.

The installation of elements 1, la according to the favorable embodiment disclosed in Figure 1 is very simple due to the suitably perforated flange 17 of said continuous generally L-shaped rail-like lath portion 16 which suitably extends over the whole length of said elements 1, la. Only the first ele¬ ment 1 is installed so that the element is fastened at both edges, i. e. a fastening lath is also arranged to support the lower edge of said element 1, and then the fastening edge arranged for the next element la to install comprises only said flange 17 mentioned above. The element 1 is fastened with this flange to the underlying wall structure 2 using any suitable customary fastening method, utilizing said per¬ foration 18 in said flange. Since there are present a great number of holes 18 an attachment point can easily be selected also on a basic wall structure 2 which is uneven or otherwise in bad shape, so that sufficient fastening strength can be achieved without any complicated additional measures.

After the installation of the first element 1, which usually is t ,s lowermost one or in certain cases the one that is outer¬ most on the edge, all subsequent elements la are installed so that they are pressed with their one edge, in a groove-and- tongue manner close to the fastening edge of the previous element which is already fastened, after which said element la is fastened, in a manner corresponding to that of the already installed element 1, to the wall 2 to coated, using said flange 17 or separate fastening means 26, 26a, 27, 28 ac¬ cording to Figures 2 and 3.

In the favorable embodiment disclosed in Figure 1 the elements 1, la are preferably manufactured in a length required by the total width of the wall 2 to be coated so that each element in the direction of the breadth covers the complete wall. Such a solution is in a meaningful way possible expressly because the element 1, la according to the invention comprises a suf¬ ficient number of attachment points, due to e. g. said long flange 17 or correspondingly to other types of fastening means 26, 27, 28 fastened at nearly arbitrary locations, where said attachment points do not need any extra pieces or other fastening means, and because said insulation 4, 4a is already pre-fastened to said surface layer 3. According to another embodiment of the invention the elements are shorter than the total extent of the wall, and in this case said elements pre¬ ferably comprise the aforementioned fastening arrangements having fastening flanges 17 at two mutually transversal edges.

For corners and openings in the building there suitably are arranged special adaptation pieces. In the same way special adaptation pieces can be arranged for the first element 1 in order to connect the first edge. Preferably such an adaptation piece comprises a sheet metal profile shaped generally as the fastening edge of an element 1, la, wherein, however, said flange 17 can be directed also in an opposite direction. Such a profile will then in a groove-and-tongue-like manner co- function with a groove-and-tongue-type standard shape profile located at said element at an opposite edge to the fastening edge. Since the elements to their proper covering area in any case will be attached solely utilizing said flange 17 arranged at said element, the use of special pieces will remain very insignificant compared to solutions of the prior art.

Using the invention in the above described manner a new struc¬ ture has been formed, with which an existing wall structure 2, irrespective of whether it is an old wall or even the frame structure of a new wall, can be covered in a simple manner with a new surface structure. The new structure meets all demands regarding surface quality, functionality of the insu¬ lation, ventilation and simplicity of the installation. Thus, the surface layer in an element according to the invention can be nearly arbitrarily selected from among sheet type surface material for buildings, favorably e. g. sheet metal. After the installation the surface of the elements arranged at the wall can be treated by spraying e. g. stone based plaster or some other coating material onto the element surface and at the seams between them.

In said elements 1, la usual building insulation material can be used for insulation 4, 4a, e. g. glass or rock wool, poly- urethane, styrene or the like preferably sheet-like insulation material, which with respect to its structure is so solid that the insulation will remain as an entity. Usually semi-hard rock wool will suit the purpose, in which case it is easy to form said ventilation grooves 5, 5a, 6, 6a, 6b therein either during the manufacture thereof or later on by cutting methods. In certain cases a foamable resin like polyurethane may be used, in which case a gluing may be superfluous. In other cases said insulation 4, 4a is attached to said surface layer 3 using e. g. any suitable gluing. As such the manufacture of the elements will be most simply when performed in industrial conditions, but since the assembling of the elements is rather simple and can be performed using a roller forming technique even with a small size apparatus directly unwinding a sheet coil, such elements can also be manufactured directly on the work site.

Above there is described some preferred embodiments of the invention, but it is clear that the invention can be utilized in many other ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A surface element arrangement for covering a wall or the like underlying structure, each element (1, la) comprising a stiffening surface layer (3) formed by a sheet like material, as well as an insulation layer (4, 4a) to be located in the space between said surface layer and said underlying structure

(2) to be coated, wherein at least one edge (7a) of the sur¬ face layer (3) of each element (la) to be installed is shaped in such a manner that said edge due to its shape will be in register with the opposite fastening edge (7) of the surface layer (3) of an element (1) already installed, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in said insulation layer (4, 4a) being arranged with its one surface (24) directly against said underlying structure (2) to be coated and with its opposite surface being essentially permanently fastened (30) directly to the inner surface of said surface layer (3) of each element (1, la) in such a manner that said surface layer (3) of each element (1, la) co-operates with said insulation (4, 4a) to form a member which supports said insulation (4, 4a) and keeps it against said underlying structure (2) to be coated, said arrangement further comprising fastening and/or supporting means (16, 26, 27, 28) for said element, said means extending form the sur¬ face layer of said element (1, la) to said underlying struc¬ ture (2).

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d in that said element' s (1, la) insulation layer (4, 4a) comprises mutually interconnected ventilation grooves (5, 5a, 5b, 6, 6a, 6b) at least at the element' s surface layer (3), preferably so that ventilation grooves (6, 6a) are ar¬ ranged at least at said edges (7, 7a) of said surface layer

(3) and suitably so that said grooves (5, 5a, 5b, 6, 6a, 6b) extend in two directions crossing each other, at least one (5, 5a) of said grooves extending to the very edge (19) of said element (1, la).

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in said insulation layer (4, 4a) of said ele¬ ment (1, la) continuing, except at the ventilation chutes (5, 5a, 6, 6a), to its essential portions at at least two opposite edges of a first element (1, la) so far that an edge surface (25) of said insulation layer (4, 4a) as such meets the edge surface (25a) of the corresponding insulation layer (4, 4a) of a similar element (1, la) installed adjacent to said first element (1, la), in which case said fastening and/or support means (16, 26, 27, 28) suitably extend between the insulation material portions (4 and 4a) of said adjacent elements (1 and la), said insulation material portions being arranged against each other.

4. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in said fastening and/or supporting elements comprising a lath portion (16, 27, 28) having a gene¬ rally L-shaped section and suitably made of a sheet material, preferably sheet metal, said lath portion comprising, in a free end thereof directed away from said element (1, la), a flange (17) intended to be fastened to said underlying struc¬ ture, and in the opposite end suitably comprising a portion (21, 22, 29, 33) which to its shape fits to the fastening edge (7) of said element, said portion suitably carrying said ele¬ ment (1) at its edge (7), in which case said lath portion (16, 27, 28) favorably comprises a set-off fold (14) which suitably is slightly inclined, in order to form a first part of a groove-and-tongue type connection, and the opposite edge (15) of said insulation (4, 4a) of said element (1) being shaped into a corresponding second part fitting into said first part (14) in accordance with their shapes, said second part co¬ operating with a first edge portion, respectively, of an adja¬ cent element (la), and/or said lath portion (16, 27, 28) suitably being adapted to support said edge (7) of said ele¬ ment (1, la) also against forces directed towards said under¬ lying structure (2).

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d in said generally L-shaped lath portion existing as a fastening and/or supporting means being a long rail-like piece (16) which suitably extends over the whole length/width and/or height of said element (1, la), said rail-like piece suitably comprising perforations (18, 20) in said flange (17) and/or at a portion being located against said insulation (4, 4a), preferably at least at the location of said ventilation chutes (5, 5a, 6a, 6b) extending to the edges of said element (1, la).

6. An arrangement according to claims 4 or 5, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d in said generally L-shaped lath portion being a means (27, 28) which is considerably shorter than the width of said element (1, la).

7. An arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in said surface layer (3) of said element (1, la) and said generally L-shaped lath portion (16) being of one piece, in which case suitably at least a part of said generally L-shaped perforated lath portion (16) is sepa¬ rately reinforced.

8. A method for forming a covering element (1, la) for a struc¬ ture (2), said element comprising a sheet material surface layer (3) and an insulation material (4, 4a) located on that side thereof which is directed towards said structure (2); as well as the covering of said structure (2) using said element (1, la); each element (1, la) comprising an edge (7, 7a) which to its shape fits with another element, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d by forming, suitably by roller forming methods, complementary pairs of folds (8, 9, 10 and 11, 12, 13, respec¬ tively) at opposite edges (7, 7a) of the surface layer (3) of each element (1, la), so that in elements (1, la) to be located adjacent to each other, said surface layers (3) are adapted to be locked in an essentially common plane; by forming, from perforated sheet material, an essentially L- shaped rail-like lath portion (16, 27, 28) extending along one folded edge (7) of said surface layer (3), an outer flange portion (21, 22) of said lath portion being arranged to con- nect, in a force transferring manner, to an outer folded edge (10) of said surface layer (3); by forming ventilation grooves (5, 6) in the surface of said insulation material (4, 4a) at least at that surface which is brought to a location against said surface layer (3); by bringing said insulation material to become attached (30), with its one surface, directly to one side of said surface layer (3); and by positioning elements (1, la) formed in the afore said manner in a superposed and/or adjacent disposition in order to cover said structure (2) in such a manner that an opposite surface (24) of said insulation material (4, 4a) will be arranged against said structure (2) to be coated; and by fastening each element (1, la) at its one edge (7) to said structure (2) to be coated.

9. A method according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by forming a first fold (8) at one edge (7) of said surface layer (3), and forming a second fold (9) at a distance from said first fold, the outermost edge (10) of said surface layer (3) being folded in a generally opposite direction with respect to the general direction of said surface layer (3) but extending in a different plane with respect thereto; by forming a third fold (11) at the opposite edge (7a) of said surface layer (3) and a fourth fold (12) located at a distance from said third fold and directed in the opposite direction, where the di¬ rection of the outermost edge (13) of said surface layer (3) corresponds to that of the general direction of said surface layer (3) but extends in a different plane with respect there¬ to, and opposite edges of said surface layer (3) essentially forming interconnecting female and male portions (7-10 and 7a-13) which at least through one pair of counter surfaces (7, 7a) interlock in a direction which is transverse to the gene¬ ral direction of said surface layer (3).

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d by covering said structure (2) to be coated with elements (1, la) extending essentially over the whole width or height thereof; and bringing a lower edge (7a) of that respec¬ tive element (la) which, of superposed elements (1, la) consti- tutes the upper one, to interlock, in a shape fitting manner, to the upper edge (7) of the subjacent already fastened ele¬ ment (1); and fastening the upper edge of the upper element (la) directly to the underlying structure (2) using a flange (17) of said L-shaped rail-like lath portion (16), a separate fastening element (28) and/or usual fastening means such as nails, screws, bolts or the like (26, 28).