WO2006068510A1

WO2006068510A1 - Facades, facade components and procedures

Info

Publication number: WO2006068510A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce Miller
Original assignee: Jacobsen Facade Systems Limited
Priority date: 2004-12-23
Filing date: 2005-12-12
Publication date: 2006-06-29

Abstract

A facade panel assembly (23) of a kind having top and bottom peripheral (2,3) assemblies, wherein the top and bottom peripheral assemblies (2,3) are such that a bottom periphery (3) , as a 'female' periphery, can index into the top, 'male' periphery (2), of an underlying like panel,and wherein the male periphery (2) is defined in part by a fin (2)of an extrusion receivable between fins (3)of an extrusion forming part of the female periphery (3), and wherein the fin (2) of the male periphery (2) carries or can carry an extruded seal (15) able to at least substantially seal against each fin (3) of extrusion of the female periphery (3).

Description

FACADES, FACADE COMPONENTS AND PROCEDURES

The present invention relates to building facades, their assembly and componentry, sub-assemblies of such componentry, methods of mounting facade panels to a building envelope, interrelating such facade panels to each other and/or the building structure, related subassemblies, assemblies and uses and procedures.

A feature of building high rise structures is the necessity, even after the building structure has been formed, to require ongoing use of high-rise scaffolding. This can present difficulties in some localities and, in addition, is an expense if associated with a slow method of exterior closure of the envelope of the building structure. We envisage the use of factory prepared prefabricated panels capable of being lifted by a tower crane or other lifting means into position such that they are associated with fixing points of the building structure and inter-engage with each other and/or with the fixing points to allow speedy sequential panel association with the structure reliant on a crane and/or sufficiently to provide some measure of mutual support and/or interrelationship for the purpose of achieving weather tightness.

It is to any aspects of such procedures products etc that the present invention is directed or alternatives of those currently used that the present invention is directed.

In another aspect the invention consists in a building facade panel structure of a kind having first and second peripheral structures, each peripheral structure including an extrusion of (preferably a different but) complementary kind, and one peripheral structure including cladding with a cladding lap at that periphery and the other peripheral structure including cladding with no or less cladding lap (or indeed a cladding recess), wherein like panel structures are able to be first to second periphery mated thereby to define an entrance between the cladding lap and the cladding of the respective panel structures to a chamber bounded at least in part by the mated extrusions.

In some forms of the present invention said cladding lap is on the first peripheral structure. In others it can be on the second peripheral structure.

Preferably said complementary extrusions with or without seals (or with a combination of seals and no seals) is able to provide a substantially sealed boundary in part defined by the two extrusions.

Preferably complemfentary additional extrusions are able to associate as part of each respective first and second peripheral structure so as to act as a cladding bar of sorts for the cladding of the respective panel structure. Preferably said first peripheral structure includes features that are adapted to receive a male feature of the complementary extrusion. Preferably said female and male features are defined in part by formations of the extrusion in the form of fins or the like.

Preferably the distal end of the male fin is adapted to receive a flexible seal. Optionally quite apart to the male and female complementary aspects there is a secondary inter-engagement between the first and second extrusions, such secondary engagement being one to favour location of one laterally with respect to the other e.g. by feeding a guide fin or the equivalent into a splay sided groove e.g. preferably defined by a pair of fins or other parts of the extrusion. Preferably said complementary extrusions are adapted to be capped internally so as to act as a secondary seal.

Preferably each said peripheral structure includes a structural framing element adapted to receive, in the case of a second peripheral structure, a pin and, in the case of a first peripheral structure a bolt and in the case of the second peripheral structure at least a pin, bolt or the like, thereby to enable a pin/bolt carrying bracket securable to the building structure of indexing one such panel structure to another as well as holding them to the building.

In another aspect the invention consists in a building facade panel structure of a kind having cladding and at least first and second peripheral structures, wherein each peripheral structure includes both steel frame member and an extrusion of (preferably a different but) complementary kind, and wherein one peripheral structure including cladding with a cladding lap at that periphery and the other peripheral structure including cladding with no or less cladding lap (or indeed a cladding recess), and wherein like panel structures are able to be first to second periphery mated thereby to define an entrance between the cladding lap and the cladding of the respective panel structures to a chamber bounded at least in part by the mated extrusions.

In another aspect the invention consists in a building facade panel structure of a kind having at least first and second peripheral structures and a cladding sheet, each peripheral structure including an extrusion of (preferably a different but) complementary kind, and one peripheral structure including a cladding lap at that periphery and the other peripheral structure including ncPor less cladding lap (or indeed a cladding recess), wherein like panel structures are able to be first to second periphery mated, and wherein a substantially "T" shaped extrusion coacts with at least one said extrusion to at least assist location of an edge region of said cladding sheet. In another aspect the invention consists in a building facade panel structure of a kind having first and second peripheral structures, wherein each peripheral structure includes a pin or bolt indexable frame member, and an extrusion of (preferably a different but) complementary kind (i.e. laterally capable of mating), and wherein one peripheral structure includes cladding with a cladding lap at that periphery, and wherein the other peripheral structure includes cladding with no or less cladding lap (or indeed a cladding recess).

In another aspect the present invention consists in a facade panel assembly of a kind having top and bottom peripheral assemblies, wherein the top and bottom peripheral assemblies are such that a bottom periphery of such a panel, as a "female" periphery, can index onto the top periphery, as a "male" periphery, of an underlying like panel, and wherein the male periphery is defined in part by a fin of an extrusion receivable between fins of an extrusion forming part of the female periphery,

. and wherein the fin of the male periphery carries or can carry an extruded seal able to at least substantially seal against each fin of the female periphery. In another aspect the invention is a building facade panel structure having a peripheral frame structure and a cladding sheet carried by at least the peripheral framing structure, the panel structure being substantially square or rectangular so as to define two opposed pair of peripheries each with a said peripheral frame structure, the panel structure being characterised in that opposed pairs of peripheral structures are index and/or sealably complementary to each other and being further characterised in that one of each pair of peripheries has a lap of the cladding sheet.

Preferably the cladding sheet of the lap is folded back in under itself. In another aspect the invention is a building facade panel structure having two opposed sets of peripheries and a cladding lap over one periphery of each set of peripheries, wherein^* (notionally or actually) when periphery to periphery mated in an array, a part (i.e. a demarcation gap) is defined between the cladding of the proximate panel pairs yet there is largely concealed and/or sealed beyond the part and/or under the cladding any one or more of (A) laterally indexed extrusions,

(B) cladding retention extrusions,

(C) coacting (A) plus (B),

(D) framing members attached to (A) and/or (B), (E) a male/female indexing (A),

(F) a guided positioning of (A) and/or (E) reliant on one extrusion being channelled to a lateral position with respect to the other,

(G) members (D) are pin and/or bolt retainable to a building envelope by a bracket projecting vertical pin(s) and/or bolt(s). (H) extrusions (A) together with a seal or seals and/or cap or caps substantially weatherproofs a chamber of which the entrance is said part.

In yet another aspect the invention is a method of cladding a building structure, said method comprising cladding upwardly using facade panel structures or assemblies of the present invention, the lower peripheral structure of each indexing on a pin or bolt of a building structure anchored bracket and the upper peripheral structure of each indexing a pin or bolt of a building structure anchored bracket.

The method involves mating proximate peripheries both horizontally and vertically. In another aspect the present invention consists in the use of or an array of facade panel structures or assemblies of the present invention. Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 shows a product which is a rectangular panel in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there being shown by the letters "M" or "F" a "male" or "female" edge region, Figure 2 is the rear side view of such a panel as shown in Figure 1, the panel being shown as optionally having no internal cladding but having support structures and exterior cladding and a peripheral framing feature, each of which peripheries is defined as an assembly in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 3 is a top or bottom view of a panel as shown in Figures 1 or 2, "M" and "F" again showing "male" and "female" extremities,

Figure 4 is a perspective close-up of a panel as shown in Figure 2 showing the female assembly on the vertical periphery and the male periphery on the top edge periphery,

Figure 5 is a similar view to that of Figure 4 but of the other top corner,

Figure 6 is an extrusion to define a female periphery, Figure 6A is an end view of the female periphery extrusion of Figure 6 (together with an attached and elastomer matrix held extrusion of Figure 6B) capable of defining, in assembly, a female periphery in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 6B is the attachment extrusion of Figure 6 A, Figure 6C is Figure 6 A further assembled with the component of Figure 9,

Figure 6D is an alternative as a female periphery extrusion to the extrusions of Figures 6 and 6A,

Figure 7 is a complementary extrusion to that of Figure 6, this extrusion to define a male periphery, Figure 7A shows the attached extrusion of Figure 6B fixed (as in Figure 6A) to the male periphery extrusion of Figure 7,

Figure 7B shows the male periphery extrusion of Figure 7 with the component of Figure 8 fitted,

Figure 7C shows the member of Figure 8 and the member 6B attached to the male periphery extrusion of Figure 7,

Figure 7D shows a single extrusion as an alternative to the Figure 7 and 7A arrangement,

Figure 8 is a seal member associable with the male member extrusion of Figure 7 or 7 A to act as a seal between the downwardly directed fins of the extrusion Figure 6, Figure 9 is an extrusion to coact in the subassembly with the female and male extrusions of Figure 6 and Figure 7,

Figure 10 is a formation for a periphery of a panel in accordance with the present invention capable of being strengthened by welding thereto,

Figure 11 shows the structure of Figure 10 with strengthening welding thereto so as to allow the fixing thereof as hereinafter described,

Figure 12 is the arrangement of Figure 11 after the fixing thereto by any appropriate means (not shown) of an extrusion as in Figure 6,

Figure 13 shows the arrangement of Figure 12 after the addition of building paper to the panel being formed with that periphery, Figure 14 shows the arrangement of Figure 13 after association with the panel and the peripheral extrusion of the exterior facing of the panel,

Figure 15 shows the arrangement of Figure 15 being locked home in part by the use of the extrusion of Figure 9 which coacts with extrusion of Figure 6, _ _

Figure 16 is a similar view to that of Figure 10 but this time for the periphery to be rendered male,

Figure 17 is similar to that of Figure 11 but for the male periphery,

Figure 17A and 17B show a similar arrangement to that of Figure 17 that also can, if desired, be used for other than the male periphery, the arrangement showing a plate member as a reinforcement plate swaged, crimped or otherwise held (as if a rivet) across the web reliant on engagement through web openings,

Figure 17C shows in perspective what is being shown as the reinforcements in Figure 17A and 17B, Figure 18 shows the male extrusion of Figure 7 associated with the arrangement of

Figure 17,

Figure 19 shows the arrangement of building paper,

Figure 20 shows the association of the exterior material of the panel to a peripheral extrusion as in Figure 7C, Figure 21 shows the at least in part fixing of the cladding reliant again on an extrusion substantially as shown in Figure 9,

Figure 22 shows the fitting of the weather seal of Figure 8 into the male fin of the male extrusion,

Figure 23 is a floor slab cross section view to a fixing form anchored in a recess of a floor of a building structure to be externally clad,

Figure 24 shows the male upper end of a panel as previously described in a crane supported spatial relatively thereto (the lifting crane nor periphery engagement not being shown for clarity purpose),

Figure 25 shows the location of a pin down through the strengthened periphery of the facade panel with its member having an opening capable of being locked by a bolt engaging a nut in the ground anchored channel and slideable relative to the plate that has the upstanding threaded member and aligned or preferably aligned pin down in through the top of the periphery of the underlying facade panel,

Figure 26 shows a female lower extremity of a similar panel to that shown in Figure 25 located for fixing,

Figure 27 shows the bolting of that crane supported panel in place with the nut being tightened in the periphery, _ _

Figure 28 shows the stage following Figure 27 where a (a preferably cruciform) capping form is fitted to a four way junction to seal the structure at the juncture with three other such structures,

Figure 29 is a close up view of the preferred arrangements discussed, Figure 30 shows the assembly of Figure 6 A used as if in Figure 14,

Figure 31 shows the assembly of Figure 6C as if in Figure 15, Figure 32 shows the extrusion of Figure 7A coacting with the same engaged other extrusion of Figure 6B in assembly as if in Figure 20,

Figure 33 shows the assembly of Figure 32 as if in Figure 21, Figure 34 shows the fitment of the member of Figure 8 to the assembly of Figure 33,

Figure 35 is a perspective of one form of a cruciform cap, Figure 36 is the cap of Figure 35,

Figure 37 shows the members/assemblies of Figures 30 through 34 as if in Figures 28 and 29, Figure 37A shows a cruciform fitted to an assembly such as in Figure 37,

Figure 37B shows, without the cruciform, more detail and options and using the reinforcements of Figures 17A and 17B,

Figure 38 shows the assembly of Figure 37 without the cruciform cap fitted, Figure 38 A shows a variation of Figure 38 but this time showing penetrative fixings (e.g. screws),

Figure 39 shows a simplified assembly as in Figure 38, and

Figure 39 A shows the flexibility of the arrangement of Figure 39 by reference to +/- 15mm adjustments of the positioning of the male/female interactions, the assemblies of Figure 37 allowing greater adjustment than with the flexure dependent extrusions of Figures 6D and 7D.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to a panel to provide a building facade panel structure with preferably two male sides "M" and two female sides "F" substantially as shown in Figure 1. It is adapted to be crane positioned to mate "M" to "F" or vice versa, where appropriate, on all extremities and to be bolt/pin supported and tied first bottom and then at the top by a suitable bracket. Figure 1 shows the exterior view of a wall module showing the cladding 1, preferably of a suitable metal but not necessarily so. By way of example, an aluminium appropriately surfaced material can be used as the cladding medium. Conversely copper, zinc, stainless steel, galvanised steel can be used. Non metal claddings can also be utilised. Examples include terracotta, plastered polystyrene, fibre cement, autoclaved concrete, etc. These units typically extend floor to floor primarily for the purpose of structural attachment to the building.

Figure 2 shows the reverse side of the module in its substantially rectangular form showing the engineered elements (plates, stud and nogs). These (preferably steel) elements are the means by which wind loads are transferred from the exterior facade to the main structure of the building, whether this be structural steel beams and columns or the cast concrete floors.

Figure 3 show a vertical section through the module showing the typical relationship with finished floor levels, that is, the requirements of fixing points to be tied to the structural elements of the building.

Figure 4 shows by reference to "M" and "F", a male and female peripheral structure respectively of a module of a kind typified by that depicted in Figures 1 through 3. The male and female extrusions have the same overall shape in all but their interconnecting elements. The differentiating feature of the male periphery extrusion 4 is the male fin 2 which preferably is a single fin protrusion that carries a co-extruded synthetic gasket (Figure 8). The differentiating feature of the female peripheral extrusion 5, is that the female periphery extrusion has a pair of parallel fins 3 that receive and house the male gasket (see Figure 8) and single fin 2. The location is preferably with the assistance of location features of the complementary extrusions 4 and 5 respectively.

Also shown in Figures 1 and 4 are laps 6 and non lapping regions 7 respectively of the female and male sides but not necessarily so. Alternatively lapping features could be provided on the male peripheries as opposed to the complementary female extremities. In some forms, some form of lapping could be provided on each but preferably one has more than the other.

When dissimilar extrusions are mitering together on an external corner of a typical module it is necessary, or at least desirable, that these dissimilar fins are cut back square to the point that they meet back to the common extrusion components (Figure 4).

When similar extrusions are mitering together on an external corner these are preferably cut as full miters and preferably do not require any special cutting to complete installation (Figure 5).

Figure 6 shows a preferred aluminium or other material extrusion 8 to act as the female extrusion. This extrusion includes the two parallel fins 3 previously referred to. In addition it is to include a bonded hinge extrusion 50 (see Figure 6A) that is hooked and bonded onto the main female extrusion. It is these hinge extrusions that contact each other on opposing male/female extrusions (see Figures 37 to 39A).

Figure 6D shows a different preferred aluminium or other material extrusion 8 to act as the female extrusion. This extrusion also includes the_Ltwo fins 3 previously referred to. In addition it includes an integral fin 9 (instead of the separate extrusion 50 of Figure 6A) which is to coact with the male extrusion 10 shown in Figure 7D as a guide between the splayed members 11 and 12 which define a location channel 13 for the member 9 as extrusions 8 and

10 are brought into engagement thereby ensuring a central location of the male fin 2 between the fins 3. The male fin includes a constricted opening channel 14 at its distal end to locate a seal (e.g. of a natural or synthetic rubber) of a general shape as shown as 15 in Figure 8 to seal the member 2 to each of the fins 3.

The male extrusion 52 Figures 7 to 7C has the same hinge extrusion as 50 hooked and bonded to it as 54 in the hook location 53. The single male fin has on its distal end a tee slot 14 to receive by a slide fit a co-extruded gull wing gasket 15 as shown in Figure 8. When a male or female extrusion on the perimeter of a module is presented to its opposite extrusion the first point of contact is the gull wing gasket 15 which is fitted to the tee slot on the male extrusion which then can self locate between the parallel fins 3 of the female extrusion.

The gull wing gasket 15 has a polypropylene rigid foot which slides into the tee slot 14 on the male extrusion (Figure 8). The dual wing of the extruded gasket allows movement between the engaged male and female extrusions while still providing a reliable seal whether in positive pressure or negative pressure situations.

Figure 9 shows an extrusion 16 of a kind (e.g. of aluminium) which is of a general T form in cross section but which (on a simple mirror installation because of some asymmetry) can accommodate different thicknesses of the cladding sheet 1. This is an optionally installed extrusion that is fitted into the square housing 56 on both the primary male and female extrusions.

Figures 10 through 15 show the assemblage of the female peripheral assembly and its lap in accordance with an embodiment the present invention. In sequence can be seen the following: • a metal periphery 17 preferably of steel having the flanged channel form shown,

• a reinforcement plating welded to the steel member 17, the steel plating member 18 having an opening 19, _ _

• the assembly of Figure 11 having the extrusion of Figure 6D mated thereto (Figure 12) and attached by fixing (not shown) so that the region 20 is against the side 21 of the member 17,

• building paper 22 being added to the assemblage of Figure 12 (see Figure 13), • a cladding sheet 23 with its lap to conceal the extrusion having the fins and a return 25 to be locked in place by an extrusion as shown in Figure 9 together with any appropriate fixing, e.g. rivet, screws or the like at any appropriate position therethrough,

• a location of the extrusion 16 (Figure 15), A metal periphery 17 (preferably of steel) as seen in Figure 12 the roll formed lipped channel form shown has the sections either screwed or riveted together to form a cohesive frame on which to install the peripheral extrusions and cladding.

A reinforcement plate is welded to the top and bottom steel members 17, each peripheral line having a differing but matching set of holes. A modification of this is a plate 57 (see Figures 17A and 17B) that is pressed into the main peripheral horizontal lipped channel 17. It can be installed on the inside or outside to act as both a stiffener plate and as a hole reinforcement. See perspective drawing of Figure 17C. This member 57 has two openings, one a circular hole 19 and the other an oval slot, both of the same diameter. Perimeter extrusions are fitted to the steel frame according to relevant mating connections. These are fixed by specified fixings at prescribed centres as determined by the engineer.

The extrusion of Figure 6D is shown mated in Figure 12 to the frame of Figure 11. It is attached by fixings so that region 20 is against the side 21 of the member 17. Installation of the building paper 22, solid sheeting or any form of breather type water barrier is placed on the exterior of the steel frame and fixed onto, under or up to the perimeter extrusions. This allows water vapour to exit the building but keeps all liquid water on the outside of the steel frame.

This system was primarily designed to be clad with sheet materials which allow a lap to conceal the extrusions having the fins and a return 25 to be locked in place with an optional extrusion as shown in Figure 9 and with appropriate fixing, e.g. rivet, screws or the like at an appropriate position therethrough. The variety of claddings that can be accommodated are all sheet type, weatherboard type and any claddings that could have peripheral folded angles as a method of detailing. This would also encompass terracotta tiling, vitrified tiles, EIFS systems, weatherboard systems and generally any cladding that has regular form and/or pattern.

Figure 15 shows the optional installation of extrusion 16. As described in Figure 9, by using the base T section different thicknesses of cladding/flashings etc. can be fixed to the main extrusion merely by altering the location or offset of the bar component of the extrusion.

Figure 16 through 22 show (similar to Figures 10-15), the male extrusion appropriately used in a peripheral assembly, e.g. also with a frame as in Figure 11.

A steel top channel with attached studs which screwed or riveted together form a wall section. The top plate at predetermined locations has welded to it reinforcement plates that stiffen perimeter holes and also distribute lifting loads to the web edges of the channel which then are able to transfer these loads to the vertical studs.

The location of the male extrusions of Figure 7D to the assemblage of Figure 17 such that the region 28 thereof lies against and is fixed by screwing, rivets bolting or the like (whether with or without adhesive) to the region 29 of the channel form 26.

As with Figure 12 it is appropriate that these fixings are detailed by an engineer. As with Figure 13 the breather type barrier is installed up to the perimeter extrusions to complete the line of waterproofing.

The top edge of any module will typically have folded sheeting, flashing or the like to ensure that there is no damming of water to the outside of the male fin 2 (Figure 19). The return portion 33 of the cladding/flashing is then fixed to the main extrusion with or without the T extrusion previously shown in Figure 9.

Figure 16 through 22 show (similar to Figures 10 through 15) the male extrusion being appropriately used in a peripheral assembly. This time there is shown: • a steel channel with a constricted opening 26 (Figure 16) reinforcement by steel plate with an appropriate aperture or the like therein fixed by welding (27) (Figure 17),

• the location of the male extrusion of Figure 7D to the assemblage of Figure 17 such that the region 28 thereof lies against and is fixed by screwing, rivets, bolting or the like (whether with or without adhesive) to the region 29 of the channel form 26, • the outstand of the male fin 2 as shown in Figure 18,

• the positioning of building paper or the equivalent 30,

• the location of a cladding sheet 31 with no lap at region 32 but with a return portion 33 for locking by the T section as shown previously in Figure 9, _ _

• the location of the extrusion 34 which, together with any penetrative or other member passing through the region 33 and either or both extrusion 34a or either can affect location of the cladding sheet,

• the fitting of a seal member as depicted in Figure 8 (Figure 22). _L The fitting of the gull wing gasket 15 as depicted in Figure 8 (Figure 22) is continuous along the T slot 14 (Figure 7). At 2-3 locations along the length of the extrusion the T slot can be pinched to secure the gull wing extrusion. This will grab the rigid foot of the co-extruded gasket without deforming the functional wings.

Figure 23 is a cross section of a floor edge of a building structure showing the floor 35 of concrete having a recess, rebate, pocket or the like 48 to accommodate a bracket (not shown Figure 23) but reaching down to a locking channel 36 (e.g. of rolled steel or extruded aluminium) for a bolt head of a bracket locating bolt on to which a bracket (shown Figure 25) is to be held and in turn be retained by the channel 36. Any appropriate reconfiguration of the channel member 36 or any alternative can instead be utilised, i.e. continuous channel segments of channel, drilling concrete bolts, etc.

The subsequent steps to the provision of an arrangement as in Figure 23 is the location relative thereto, under the lifting action of a crane (not shown) of the top region of a panel as previously defined, hi this instance, and preferably, the extrusion at the top is a male type extrusion assembly substantially as depicted in Figure 22. This assembly 37 is then located by the bracket which in this instance (not being shown bolted into the channel 36) nonetheless has its bracket with a flat plate 38 having a pin 39 that passes down through an opening for that pin in between the reinforcement plate 27 and through the steel of the channel.

Subsequent to the provision of an arrangement as in Figure 23 is the location relative thereto, under the lifting action of a crane (not shown) of the top region of a module as previously defined Figure 17. hi this instance and preferably, the extrusion at the top is a male type extrusion assembly substantially as depicted in Figure 22.

This assembly 37 is located by the installation of a bracket 38 which in this instance (not being shown bolted into the channel 36) nonetheless has its bracket with a flat plate 38 having a smooth pin region 39 that passes down through an opening for that pin in the reinforcement plate and the steel channel. This allows the lower module assembly to move up and down relative to this level of concrete floor 35 whilst still securing its in/out axis (i.e. normal or transverse) and along axis (i.e. longitudinal axis) locations. This therefore allows live load movements to be accommodated in a rigid cladding facade. (Shown above) the plate 38 is the threaded portion of the pin 40 with its own nut 41 and washer 42 on which as shown in Figure 26.

A lower female assemblage is thus likewise located with the threaded stud 40 passes through the channel 17 and its reinforcement 18. Nut 41 thus can lift and^lower the upper module assemblage to achieve the desired module gap 47 (Figure 29). This gap is related to but cannot be less than the live load movement of the associated floor 35 (Figure 23).

Thereafter a nut and washer combination 43 and 44 can be installed giving this assemblage a locking device once final installation location has been determined. This following sequence 24-27 can be repeated in the subsequent module above this assemblage or in part repeated (e.g. if the top panel) bolting between horizontally level/adjacent modules is not essential as there is still the male to female indexing of the kind depicted in Figure 44.

Shown above the plate 38 is a threaded stud 40 with its own nut 41 and washer 42 onto which, as shown in Figure 26, a female assemblage is thus likewise located with the stud

40 passing through the channel 17 and its reinforcement 18. Thereafter it can be tightened into position by use of a nut and washer combination 43 and 44. The following sequence above that panel can thereafter be repeated or in part repeated (e.g. if the top panel).

As can be seen Figure 28 and 29 a moulded cruciform cap 45 (aluminium or plastics (e.g. KEATON™ injected plastic)) can be positioned and indeed fixed as a cap inwardly of the mated extrusions so as to ensure by such an arrangement, (i.e. the effect of the aligned seal 15 on the member 2 between the members 3 as well as the alignment member 9 in the channel 13 between the divergent or convergent members 11 and 12) weather tightness of panel to panel intersections.

A longitudinal seal is tooled between the innermost legs of members 9 and 12. This terminal caulking 57 is continuous along all faces of a module perimeter and at the cruciform of 4 modules it is the cap 45 that bridges this junction and provides a continuous seal line between and around each module.

The chamber region 46 has an entrance which as a result of the preferred lapping, substantially conceals the nature of the mated extrusions and the fitment of the cladding sheets thereby to provide a feature gap which can, if desired, be repeated in separation both vertically and horizontally between all modules.

The extrusion 48 of Figure 30 is a variation of the member in Figure 6. Extrusion 48 has provision at 49 for the location thereto of the extrusion so as shown in Figure 31 reliant on, for example, a matrix of, for example, a silicone material 51 Figure 31. The associated _ _

extrusion 50 to that of 48 allows greater flexure that the unitary dependent member of Figure 6.

Likewise extrusion 52 with its feature 53 Figures 34 and 35 for the extrusion 54 (preferably the same extrusion as 50) allows the complementary dependent member by the same type arrangement.

These arrangements in flexure allow the divergency of fit demonstrated by reference to the sizes depicted as plus or minus 15mm beyond the desirable condition to the left as shown in Figure 43. It is the minor rotation of members 50 and 54 in the seat 49 of members 48 and 52 that gives the security of water tightness for the combined extrusions. The cruciform gasket 55 of Figures 39 and 40 is used whole or in part at the junctions of 2, 3 or 4 modules and is capable of being splayed in a different manner as required and as shown in Figure 43. The continuous long central axis is usually arranged horizontally to primarily accommodate the vertical movements of building floors acting under the forces of live loads. Typically when a floor bends under a live load it will move down and away from the floor above resulting in the plus 15mm situation as shown in Figure 43. Under the same movement as above the floor bending under the live load bends closer to the floor below resulting in the minus 15mm situation as shown in Figure 43.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate how fatigue is less likely to be a problem with assemblages of Figures 31 and 35 than with the corresponding unitary extrusions and their equivalent extrusions shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how little in the way of interengagement may be required between panels insofar as the separation of their vertical jointing is concerned, i.e. between panel assemblies of the same height Figures 42 and 44.

Bolting between horizontally level panels is not essential as there is still the male to female indexing of the kind depicted in Figures 44.

As can be seen a moulded cruciform cap 45 (aluminium or plastics (e.g. KRATON™ injected plastic)) can be positioned and indeed fixed as a cap inwardly of the mated extrusions so as to ensure by such an arrangement, (i.e. the effect of the aligned seal 5 on the member 2 between the members 3 as well as the alignment member 9 in the channel 13 between the divergent or converging members 11 and 12) weather tightness of panel to panel in sections.

The chamber region 46 has an entrance 47 which as a result of the preferred lapping, substantially conceals the nature of the mated extrusions and the fitment of the cladding sheets thereby to provide a feature gap which can, it desired, be repeated in separations both vertically and horizontally between all panels. _ _

The extrusion 48 of Figure 30 has provision at 49 for the location thereto of the extrusion 50 as shown in Figure 31 reliant on, for example, a matrix of, for example, a silicone material 51. This associated extrusion 50 to that of 48 allows greater flexure than the unitary dependent member of Figure 6. Likewise extrusion 52 with its feature 53 for the extrusion 54 (preferably the same extrusion as 50) allows the complementary dependent member by the same type arrangement. These arrangements in flexure allow the divergency of fit demonstrated by reference to sizes depicted as plus or minus 15mm beyond the desirable set up condition to the left as shown Figure 43. The cruciform 55 of Figures 35 is used as shown in Figures 28, 29 and 37A and is capable of being splayed in a different manner as required and as shown in Figure 39 A.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate how fatigue is less likely to be a problem with the assemblages of Figures 37, 37A, 37B, 38, 38A, 39 and 39A than with the corresponding unitary extrusions and their equivalent extension shown in Figures 6D and 7D. Figure 37B shows a female bottomed periphery placed over a male topped periphery. In the arrangement shown there is the bar 56 that is tied back to the concrete floor and the locating pin 57 dependent therefrom and the threaded pin 58 to which nuts 59 are fitted to hold the periphery of the uppermost panel assembly in place. As can be seen there is a cavity 60 as a result of the entrance way 61 under the lapping region 62 of the male bottomed panel assembly. This includes a drainage slot 62 (e.g. 6mm holes) which can, if desired, be positioned below a porous material 63 (e.g. a protective foam) which is to make the structure difficult to inhabit by insects.

In each instance preferably the topmost panel assembly has a composite panelling arrangement 64. Likewise the lower panel has composite panelling 66.

As can be seen screws 67 tie the extrusion 68 (the extrusion being as in Figure 9) to the region 68 of the composite panelling 64. That attachment of the member 68 also ties it to the extrusion 69 which itself is anchored by screws 70 to the steel structure 71 which is substantially as shown in Figure 17A or 17B.

It can be seen that the fins 72 receive the male member 73 with its held seal 74 (the seal being as in Figure 8) sealing against the inside of each of the female fins 72. This therefore seals the environment 75 bounded by the extrusions 76 engaged at 77 and 78 respectively with the female and male extrusions.

Not shown in Figure 37B for convenience of explanation is the cruciform (shown in, for example, Figures 35 and 36). As can be seen, some suitable sealing composition 79 is positioned to seal the distal region of one extrusion 76 to the other and to seal the connections of each extrusion 76 into the female or male extrusion at 77 and 78 respectively.

Shown in Figure 37B are screws 80 connecting an extrusion 81 (which is identical |o extrusion 68) but this time to the composite panelling 66 of the other panel.

Also shown are screws 84 engaging into the steel to tie the male extrusion to a form substantially as disclosed previously in respect to the peripheral member 71. This member 85 is similarly preferably one of the forms disclosed in Figures 17A or 17B.

Also shown in Figure 37B is the provision of building paper 82 and 83. Figure 38A, in a similar manner to that of Figure 37B, shows some of the interconnection between panel peripheries but this time for a vertical join, hi this arrangement there is a female extrusion 86 with its fins 87 and a male extrusion 88 with its male fin 89 which carries the seal 90 as shown in Figure 8. Members 90 and 91 as shown in Figure 7 are affixed by screws 92 and 93 respectively to hold part of the composite panelling 94 and 95 respectively to the female extrusion 86 and the male extrusion 88.

As previously described with respect to Figure 38 A, but this time not showing preferred the sealant nor the preferred cruciform, there are extrusions 97 and 98 respectively engaged to the extrusions 86 and 88. There is therefore defined a space 99 that is sealed and there is the chamber 100 with its entrance way 101 provided by the lapping in part of the extrusion forms.

In each instance the extrusion 86 or 88 is held by screws 102 and 103 to its respective steel frame form 104 and 105 substantially as described previously by reference to Figure 17A and/or 17B.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how little in the way of interengagement is required between panels insofar as the separation of their vertical jointing is concerning, i.e. between panel assemblies of the same height 42.

The present invention relates to a simple in-factory manufactured procedure that has wide spread application yet has the ability to provide an aesthetic outcome even with planar type panel types. It is the fact of being a factory based production that generates benefits. That is the ability to have the quality control in a controlled environment away from the vagaries of site - the reduction^of onsite activities which has flow on effect of reducing site generated rubbish the reduction of onside material storage (good for confined sites) - the reduction in construction time, means a quicker time in getting a watertight facade, the flow-on effect of getting subsequent trades into their activities quicker, the attribute of being a lightweight facade can have major contribution to the structural elements of a building and therefore major cost savings.

Claims

_ _CLAIMS:

1. A building facade panel structure of a kind having first and second peripheral structures, wherein each peripheral structure includes an extrusion, and wherein one peripheral structure ("first peripheral structure") includes cladding with a cladding lap and the other peripheral structure ("second peripheral structure") includes cladding with no cladding lap, less cladding lap or a cladding relief, and wherein like panel structures are able to be first to second periphery structure mated thereby to define an entrance between the cladding lap of said one peripheral structure and the cladding of the other peripheral structure to a chamber bounded at least in part by the mated extrusions.

2. A structure of claim 1 wherein said cladding lap is on the first peripheral structure.

3. A structure of claim 2 wherein there is less cladding lap on the second peripheral structure.

4. A structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein said first peripheral structure includes as an extrusion a first extrusion, and said second peripheral structure includes as an extrusion a second extrusion, the first and second extrusions being complementary.

5. A structure of claim 4 wherein said complementary extrusions with or without seals (or with a combination of seals and no seals) is able to provide a substantially sealed boundary in part defined by the two extrusions.

6. A structure of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said complementary extrusions each has attaching thereto at least one additional extrusion.

7. A structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one additional extrusion provides with a sealing matrix a substantially sealed environment that is inwardly of the chamber to be bounded at least in part by the mated extrusions in use.

8. A structure of claim 6 or 7 wherein at least one additional extrusion coacts with a said complementary extrusion to hold a periphery of the cladding of the panel structure.

9. A structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein said first peripheral structure includes features that, as a female feature, are adapted to receive a male feature of the complementary extrusion of the second peripheral structure.

10. A structure of claim 9 wherein said female and male features are defined, at ϊeast in part, by formations of the peripheral structure extrusions in the form of fins or the like.

11. A structure of claim 10 wherein the distal end of the male fin is adapted to receive a flexible seal.

12. A structure of claim 10 or 11 wherein quite apart to the male and female complementary aspects there is a secondary inter-engagement between the first and second extrusions, such secondary engagement being one to favour location of one laterally with respect to the other.

13. A structure of any one of the preceding claims wherein each said peripheral structure includes a structural framing element adapted to receive, in the case of a second peripheral structure, a pin and, in the case of a first peripheral structure a bolt.

14. A building facade panel structure of a kind having cladding and at least first and second peripheral structures, -

extrusion of a complementary kind, and wherein one peripheral structure includes cladding with a cladding lap at that periphery and the other peripheral structure includes cladding with no cladding lap, less cladding lap or a cladding relief, and wherein like panel structures are able to be first to second periphery mated thereby to define an entrance between the cladding lap and the cladding of the respective panel structures to a chamber bounded at least in part by the mated extrusions.

15. A facade panel assembly of a kind having top and bottom peripheral assemblies, wherein the top and bottom peripheral assemblies are such that a bottom periphery of such a panel, as a "female" periphery, can index onto the top periphery, as a "male" periphery, of an underlying like panel, and wherein the male periphery is defined in part by a fin of an extrusion receivable between fins of an extrusion forming part of the female periphery, and wherein the fin of the male periphery carries or can carry an extruded seal able to at least substantially seal against each fin of extrusion of the female periphery.

16. A building facade panel structure having a peripheral frame structure and a cladding sheet carried by at least the peripheral framing structure, the panel structure being substantially square or rectangular so as to define two opposed pair of peripheries each with a said peripheral frame structure, the panel structure being characterised in that opposed pairs of peripheral structures are index and/Or sealably complementary to each other and being further characterised in that one of each pair of peripheries has a lap of the cladding sheet.

17. A structure of claim 16 wherein the cladding sheet of the lap is folded back in under itself.

18. A building facade panel structure having two opposed sets of peripheries and a cladding lap over one periphery of each set of peripheries, wherein (notionally or actually) when periphery to periphery mated in an array, a part (i.e. a demarcation gap) is defined between the cladding of the proximate panel pairs yet there is largely concealed and/or sealed beyond the part and/or under the cladding any one or more of

(A) laterally indexed extrusions, (B) cladding retention extrusions,

(C) coacting (A) plus (B),

(D) framing members attached to (A) and/or (B),

(E) a male/female indexing (A),

(G) members (D) are pin and/or bolt retainable to a building envelope by a bracket projecting vertical pin(s) and/or bolt(s).

.(H) extrusions (A) together with a seal or seals and/or cap or caps substantially weatherproofs a chamber of which the entrance is said part.

19. Panel structures substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of cladding a building structure, said method comprising cladding upwardly using facade panel structures or assemblies of any one of the preceding claims, the lower peripheral structure of each indexing on a pin or bolt of a building structure anchored bracket and the upper peripheral structure of each indexing a pin or bolt of a building structure anchored bracket.

21. A method of claim 20 which involves mating proximate peripheries both horizontally and vertically.

22. The use of an array of facade panel structures or assemblies of any one of claims 1 to 19.