AU2004203244A1 - Cladding joiner - Google Patents

Description

19/07/2004 15:44 +64-9-3580687 NEWNHAM CO -1- PAGE 03 P/00/0011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: ROBERT GEOFFREY GRAHAM Actual Inventors: ROBERT GEOFFREY GRAHAM Address for service in Australia: Newnham Co Level 1,425-429 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest PO Box 1325, Crows Nest New South Wales 2065, Australia Ph: 0064-27-231 6702 Fax: 0064-9-413 8175 Invention Title: CLADDING JOINER The following statment is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Pau-pp COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 15:44 +64-9-3580627 NEWNHAM &CC) PAGE 04 N3597au 2 T'his invention relates to a joiner for insertion between planar elements and more particularly a joiner for insertion between exterior and interior building cladding sheets, planks, panels, linings and similar elements. Further, the invention relates to a method of cladding or lining a building wall utilising the joiner and associated planar elements.

An on going problem exists in providing "waterproofing or weatherproofing"' at the junctions between wall panels particularly where exterior cladding is involved. An object of this invention is to provide a joiner that integrally combines weathering drainage means which it is envisaged will substantially overcome these problems. Consequently this invention also provides a method of cladding a wall utilising the joiner and associated planar cladding elements. A fur-ther object is to at least provide the public with a useful choice in these matters. While the invention is described primarily by way of reference to exterior cladding it will be appreciated by those skilled in the field that the joiner will also be useful for use with interior claddings or linings particularly in so called "wet" areas such as bathrooms.

According to a first embodiment of this invention there is provided a joiner for planar elements broadly comprising an elongate unitary body forming at least one longitudinal drainage channel(s) having a mot(s) opening toward a front thereof and incorporating mounting means at a rear thereof clear of the drainage channel(s') by which the joiner can be fixed in situ.

According to a second embodiment of this invention there is provided a joiner for planar elements as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the elongate unitary body forms two longitudinal drainage channels having mouths opening toward a front side thereof, the COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by PP Australia: Time (I-tm) 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 15:44 +64-9-3580667 NEWNHAM CO PAGE N1397U 3 drainage channels being separated by a Stem wail Supporting a capping extending at least partly over and spaced outwardly of the mouths of the drainage channels to form a pair of laterally opening planar element receiving gaps therewith.

According to a third embodiment of this invention there is provided a joiner for planar elements as described in either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs wherein the mounting means comprises a laterally extending flange(s) on the rear side of the body along at least one longitudinal edge thereof and through which fixing means can be inserted to attach the joiner to a substrate.

According to a fourth embodiment of thi invention there is provided a joiner for planar elements as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the lateral flange(s) forms a longitudinally extending channel.

According to a fifth embodiment of this invention there is provided a joiner for planar elements as described in the first embodiment of this invention wherein the joiner is integrally combined by its rear side along one side of an elongate box-section structural building member.

According to a sixth embodiment of this invention there is provided a joiner for planar elements as described in any one of the five immediately preceding paragraphs wherein at least one longitudinal fluting groove is formed in the front facing sections of the body to each side of the drainage channel(s).

According to a seventh embodiment of this invention there is provided a method of sheathing a wall comprising the steps of fixing a joiner as described in either of the third or COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 15:44 +64-9-3580687 NEWNHAM COJ PAGE 06 NtS97au 4 fourth embodiments of the invention onto a wall frame member(s) in a substantially vertical disposition by passing fixing means through the mounting flange(s) into the member(s), then where possible, working away from a non-mounting flange side of that joiner, at a lateral spacing therefrom commensurate to the width of planar cladding element to be mount ed between two such joiners, similarly fixing a second joiner in situ, if needed fixing packer battens at intervals between the joiners, then inserting a lateral edge of a matching (of the same "thickness" as the joiner) planar cladding clement into the opposingly facing "thickness" gap of the first joiner and then wit flexing of the panel inserting the opposing lateral edge of the board into the thickness gap of the second joiner, then repeating the sequence as required to clad to the wall In further describing the invention reference is made to thec accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments wherein; Fig- 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rear side mountable embodiment, and Figs. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of a lateral-flange mountable embodiments, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lateral-flange mountable embodiment wherein the flange forms a groove, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment wherein the joiner is integrally combined with an elongate box-section structural building member, and Fig. 6 is horizontal section, partly schematic, through a wall depicting typical uses of the various embodiments of the joiner.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 16:44 -i64-9-3580687 NEWtI-AM GO PAGE 07 A joiner is Preferably formed as a metallic extrusion, preferably aluminium, however a suitable plastics material, depending upon the proposed application, may be used as an alternative. Thus the joiner has a constant cross-sectional shape and wall thickness and is manufactured to an indefinite length. Preferably the joiner is cut-to-length to correspond to "standard" length building panels, typically 2.4 metres. Preferably the joiner has a width of between about 30mm and 50mm and an overall "thickness" dimension of between about 6mm and 21mm. Similarly the wall thickness of the body sections may vary from about 1mim to 3 nun. These basic dimensions are not critical and depend upon the proposed application and the nature of an associated planar element or panel with which the joiner is to be used. As w~ill be apparent from the following description the thickness of an associated planar element or panel determines the ideal "size" of the gaps of the joiner.

Herein, for ease of description and, in particular to match the thickness of an associate panel intended to be used therewith, the "size" of the gaps will be referrd to their "thickness".

The same numerals are used in the different embodiments to identify the same or equivalent features.

Referring to Fig. 3 in a first embodiment the body forms a single drainage channel 2 preferably "U"-shaped with lateral shoulders or edges 3 disposed in the same tr-ansverse plane. The rear side 4 of the joiner (the bottoms of the channel 2) is preferably at least marginally flattened to seat, in situ, squarely on a supporting substrate 5. The month 2a of the drainage channel 2 opens toward a front side 6 of the joiner 1. At a rear 4 of the body 1 mounting means are integrally combined with the body of the joiner 1, the mounting means comprises a lateral flange 11 provided along at least one side of the joiner 1. Fixing means such as screws or nails 12 can be "nailed" through the flange 11 to fix the joiner I in situ, COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 15:44 +64-9-3580627 NEWNI-AM CO PAGE 09 N I597nu 6 The fixing means 12 are thus clear of the drainage channels 2 and do not affect the integrity thereof.

Referring in particular to Fig. 1, in a further embodiment the body of the joiner 1 forms two longitudinally running drainage channels 2. The mouths 2a and the drainage channels 2 are separated by a stem wall 7 which supports a capping 8. The stein wall 7 projects beyond the transverse plane of the lateral shoulders 3 and the arias 8a of the capping 8 project to both sides thereof Preferably the capping 8 projects between at least half-way and up to nearly fuly over the width of the mouths 2a, of each drainage channel 2. Thus a laterally opening gap 9 is provided between the inner face of each arm 8a. of the capping 8 and the extremity of the lateral shoulder 3 defining the mouth 2a of the associate channel 2. The spacing or "thickness" of the gaps 9 is conunensurate to the thickness of the planar elements to be connected by the joiner 1 as to provide a friction "nominally sealing" fit therewith.

The rear side 4 of the joiner I may have a peelable adhesive tape or similar mounting means -(not depicted) attached thereto or the joiner 1 may be fixed by way of a separate adhesive applied between it and an in situ substrate Referring now in particular to Figs 2 and 4 yet further embodiments of the embodiments depicted in Figs. I and 3 are depicted. In both cases the body 1 forms a pair od drainage channels 2 separated by the stein wall 7 and capped 8 as in the embodiment in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 as with the first embodiment the flange 11 is in the nature of an arm 11I a extending laterally from the rear side 4 of the joiner. In the Fig. 4 embodiment the flange 11 forms a mounting channel I l b. Preferably the mounting channel 1 lb is of a "V"-shaped crosssection to have an included angle matching the configuration of typical fixing means such as screws 12. With fixing as described in more detail below the heads 12& of any fixing COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 .15:44 +G4-9-3520687 NEWN-AM 9 CO PAGE 09 7 meanls 12 preferably seat within the mounting channel IIb below the trasverse plan of the ends of the shoulders 3.

Referring in particular to Fig. 4, the joiner 1 is integrally extruded with a box-section member Ile as typically used as a building structural member, for example a stud. The joiner 1 is formed along one side of the box-section Ie, the rear side 4 of the joiner I and the side of the stud Ie thus being common to one another. Thus the stud Ie provides an integral mounting means for the joiner 1.

As depicted in Figs. 1-3 additional weathering protection may be provided in the form of longitudinal fluting grooves 14 formed in the terminating fronts or edges of the lateral shoulders 3. To that end each shoulder 3 may have a lateral extension 3a enabling two fluting grooves 12 to be formed therein. Also as depicted in Fig.3, where the mounting flange 11I is formned as a channel I Ib, a longitudinal laterally and rearward disposed lip 13 maybe provided at the rear side 4 of the mounting flange 11. The lip 13 stands marginally proud of the rear side 4 of the body It is envisaged the lip 13 will assist maintaining the body I in a required alignment plane during fixing as described below.

In use a joiner I of required length is fixed to a wail frame member 5 typically in a vertical disposition by fixing means 12 as described above. As follows, where the joiner 1 is provided with only one mounting flange 11, preferably the joiners 1 are fixed in a sequence working away from the mounting flanges/channels 11. it follows the correct orientation of this first joiner 1 should be so selected. At a lateral spacing therefrom commensurate to the width of a planar cladding element 10 to be mounted between two joiners 1 a second joiner 1 is fixed in place. If considered appropriate packer battens 15 can be provided at intervals COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 15:44 +64-9-3580687 NEWM-IAM CO PAGE between the joiners 1. A lateral edge Of a matching (Of the same "thickness" as the joiner) planar cladding element 10 van then be presented to and inserted into the gap 9 distal of the mounting flange 11I of the first joiner 1. Then with minimal flexing of the panel 10 the opposing lateral edge thereof can be "clipped" into the opposing gap 9 of the second joiner 1.

it is envisaged any ingress of water about a lateral edge of a cladding element 10, that is, past the nominal seal provided by the joiner 1, will be trapped by the adjacent drainage channel 2 and diverted downwardly. Additional or secondary weathering/trapping is provided by the fluted grooves 14, protection and diverting drainage thus being provided for both the substrate 5 structure as well as the fixing means 12 used to fix the joiner 1 thereto.

Further, the fixing means are concealed enhancing the aesthetics and security of cladding installed utilising the joiner.

JPreferably cladding elements 10 structured from flexible and/or malleable material such as sheet metal and thin layered plywood are utilised enabling folding without fracture thereof to create external and internal corners. These may be preformed enabling them to be cut to a required length on site if need be.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19

Claims (11)

1. Ajoiner for planar elements comprising an elongate unitary body forming at least one longitudinal drainage channel(s) having a mouth(s) opening toward a front thereof and incorporating mounting means at a rear thereof clear of the drainage channel(s) by which the joiner can be fixed in situ.

2. A joiner for planar elements as claimed in claim I wherein the elongate unitary body forms two longitudinal drainage channels having mouths opening toward a front side thereof, the drainage channels being separated by a stemn wall supporting a capping extending at least partly over and spaced outwardly of the mouths of the drainage channels to form a pair of laterally opening planar element receiving gaps therewith.

3. A joiner for planar elements as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein the mounting means comprises a laterally extending flange(s) on the rear side of the body along at least one longtudinal edge thereof and through which flxing means can be inserted to attah the joiner to a substrate.

4. A joiner for pianar elements as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lateral flange(s) forms a longitudinally extending channel. A joiner for planar elements as claimed in claim 2 wherein the joiner is integrally combined by its rear side along one side of an elongate box-section structural building member.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 15:44 19/7/6041544 +4-9-3580687 NEWNI-4M COPAE1 PAGE 12 NI1 59?aW

6. A joiner for planar elements as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4 wherein a longitudinal laterally and rearward disposed lip is provided at the rear of the mounting flange.

7. A joiner for planar elements as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one longitudinal fluting groove is formed in the front Lacing sections of the shoulders to each side of the drainage channel(s).

8. A joiner for planar elements as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed as an extrusion.

9. A method of sheathing a wall comprising the steps of fixing a joiner as claimed in claim 3, claim 4 onto or any other claim as dependent thereon a wail f-rme member(s) in a substantially vertical disposition by passing fixing means through the mounting flange(s) into the member(s), then where possible, working away from a non-mounting flange side of that joiner, at a lateral spacing therefrom commensurate to the width of planar cladding element to be mounted between two such joiners, similarly fixing a second joiner in situ, if needed fixing packer battens at intervals between the joiners, then inserting a lateral edge of a matching (of the same "thickness" as the joiner) planar cladding element into the opposingly facing "thickness" gap of the first joiner and then with flexing of the panel inserting the opposing lateral edge of the board into the thickness gap of the second joiner, then repeating the sequence as required to clad to the wall

10. A joiner substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19 19/07/2004 15:44 +64-9-3580687 NEWNHAM CO PAGE 13 N1507*t

11. A method of sheathing a wall substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ROBER l FERY GRAHAM By his Attorneys NEWNHAM CO COMS ID No: SBMI-00832971 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:38 Date 2004-07-19