GB2147926A

GB2147926A - Cladding panel

Info

Publication number: GB2147926A
Application number: GB08327525A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Pounder
Original assignee: BROOKS ACCRINGTON Ltd
Current assignee: BROOKS ACCRINGTON Ltd
Priority date: 1983-10-14
Filing date: 1983-10-14
Publication date: 1985-05-22
Also published as: GB8327525D0

Abstract

A transparent or translucent cladding panel 10, which can be located between a pair of composite panels 12 and 14, includes a weather sheet 20 and a liner sheet 28 spaced from, but lying adjacent to the weather sheet. Both of the sheets 20 and 28 are made from glass reinforced plastics The liner sheet 28 includes upwardly extending flanges 32 and 34 along either side which are formed integrally with the sheet 28. The flanges 32 and 34 are bonded to the weather sheet by silicon rubber. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cladding panel and a method of assembling a cladding panel The present invention relates to a cladding panel and to a method of assembling a cladding panel. The cladding panels typically may be used in providing a covering for the roof or walls of a building. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively concerned with translucent or transparent cladding panels.

Previous transparent panels have comprised an outer weather sheet and an inner liner sheet. The liner sheet is located adjacent to the weather sheet but is spaced from the weather sheet. The liner sheet and the weather sheet are held in their relative positions by a flange which extends between each sheet and is connected to each sheet around the complete peripheral region of the sheets.

This known panel has been made out of Glass Reinforced Plastics (G.R.P.), and the flange, also of G.R.P., has had to be moulded onto the liner sheet before the weather sheet can be secured to the flange. The flange extends completely around the liner sheet and includes an intermediate portion extending perpendicularly away from the liner sheet, and an outer portion, inwardly directed relative to the intermediate portion, extending generally parallel to the liner sheet.It can be seen that it is extremely difficult and time consuming to mould the G.R.P. flange onto the liner sheet and, in order to form the outer portion of the flange, it is necessary to remove the formers at precisely the right time, before the G.R.P has completely hardened, while there is still sufficient flexibility in the flange to allow the formers to be removed but enough rigidity for the flange to be self supporting. A further disadvantage in the assembly of this panel is that, in order to attach the weather sheet to the outer portion of the flange, the surface of the weather sheet has to be sanded or etched in order to provide the necessary grip for the silicon bond which is used to attach these two parts.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the above disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cladding panel comprises an outer sheet and an inner sheet, the inner sheet being spaced from the outer sheet and extending generally parallel to the outer sheet, the inner sheet including integrally formed connecting flanges along two opposed sides thereof, the connecting flanges extending towards, and being connected to the outer sheet. This panel is considerably simplified over the previous known panel, as the two sheets can be directly connected together without the presence of a third component.

Furthermore, as there is only one line of connection in the region of the outer sheet, between the sheets, the chances of the connection between the sheets being damaged, either due to faulty assembly or through the panel being knocked, are considerably reduced, and a stronger more robust panel may be provided.

The outer sheet may extend beyond the inner sheet along the two opposed sides thereof, this construction allowing the panel to be located adjacent to another panel with that other panel projecting into the space provided between the outer sheet extending beyond the inner sheet and the building.

At least one of the connecting flanges may extend towards the outer sheet in a direction such that the included angle between the surface of the inner sheet facing the outer sheet and the connecting flange is less than 90 , for example between 60 and 80 or 65 and 75 . This may allow the connecting flange to be secured to a convenient part of the outer sheet whilst permitting the inner sheet to extend further in the direction of the side on which that connecting flange is formed than it would otherwise be able to extend if the flange extended perpendicularly to the inner sheet or if the included angle were greater than 90 .

At least one of the connecting flanges may include an edge portion which extends outwardly relative to the connecting flange in the direction in which the inner sheet extends.

The edge portion may be used to provide a strip contact between the inner sheet and the outer sheet thus enabling the inner sheet to be connected to the outer sheet over a greater area and provide a stronger bond than would otherwise be permitted by a line fixing or bond. Where the included angle between the surface of the inner sheet facing the outer sheet and the connecting flange is less than 90', the edge portion, when it extends to the outer edge of the outer sheet, may provide a wider strip ccntact between the sheets.

It will be appreciated that the present invention also includes an inner sheet with integrally formed connecting flanges for use in a cladding panel according to the invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a cladding panel which includes an outer sheet and an inner sheet, the inner sheet having a pair of flanges extending along opposed sides thereof, the flanges extending away from the plane of the inner sheet comprises bringing the outer sheet and the flanges into contact with one another, whereby the inner sheet is spaced from but extends generally parallel to the inner sheet, and connecting the flanges to the outer sheet. Such a method is considerably simplified over that previously used in assembling a cladding panel as only two components have to be jointed together and, in order to join those components together, no third component has to be formed by moulding it on to one or other of the components.

Thus considerable labour and cost is saved in assembling the panel.

The method may include bonding the flanges to the outer sheet which provides a convenient method of assembling the panel.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but several embodiments will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a cladding panel showing a pair of opposed sides of the panel, with each side of the panel cooperating with an adjacent composite panel, and Figures 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating cladding panels including liner sheets of different configuration to that shown in Figure 1.

A cladding panel 10, shown in Figure 1, is lying between a pair of composite panels 1 2 and 14. The panels 10 are generally rectangular in shape and are normally used on the roof or outer walls of a building. The longest edges 1 6 and 1 8, shown in the Figure, of the panel 10 are arranged to be inclined relative to the building whereby rain may fall onto the outer weather sheet 20 and flow down the channels 22 formed in that sheet, the channels running parallel to the longest edges 1 6 and 18.

The composite panels 1 2 and 14 comprise a metal sheet 24 enclosing a polyurethane foam filler 25, and are used to keep rain out of the building and to insulate the building.

The panels 10 include both the weather sheet 20 and a liner sheet 28, spaced from but lying adjacent to the weather sheet. Both of the sheets 20 and 28 are made from G.R.P.

and are therefore transparent or translucent.

Thus the panels 10 act as windows in order to allow light into the building, and the double layer provided by the two sheets also helps to insulate the building. An additional advantage of the two sheets 20 and 28 of the panel 10 is that condensation from inside of the building does not tend to form so readily on the inwardly facing surface of the panel as it would if the panel only included a single sheet of G.R.P.

The liner sheet 28 is formed by placing a sheet of Melinex on a flat surface. The Melinex is then coated with resin, and fibreglass is placed on top of the resin. A further layer of Melinex is then placed on top of the fibreglass and the two sheets of Melinex are then passed through formers until the lower sheet has the required shape with elongate channels 30 (shown in Figures 2A and 2B) and upwardly extending flanges 32 and 34 along either side of the sheet.As shown in Figure 1, the upwardly extending flanges 32 and 34 each include an intermediate portion 36 and 38 which are angled such that the included angles 40 and 42 between the respective portions 36 and 38 and the sheet 28 are less than 90 (in this instance 76 ). The flanges 32 and 34 each include an edge portion 44 and 46 which are directed outwardly relative to the sheet, the edge portions extending generally parallel to the liner sheet 28.

The panel 10 is assembled by placing a layer of silicon rubber on the upwardly facing surface of the edge portions 44 and 46 of the liner sheet 28. The weather sheet 20 is then placed on top of the liner sheet 28, with edge strips 48 and 50, extending along either side of the weather sheet 28, lying on top of and being bonded to the edge portions 44 and 46 of the liner sheet by the silicon rubber. As the intermediate portions 36 and 38 are at such an angle relative to the main body of the sheet, the area over which the weather sheet and the liner sheet can be bonded together is increased for a given distance between the outermost portions of the lower part of the liner sheet and the weather sheet, as the edge portions of the flange are able to extend partly over the lower part of the liner sheet.High density polyurethane foam blocks 52 can be inserted into the open ends of the panel 10 along either side thereof which serve a purpose to be described later. The open ends of the panel can then be closed and sealed by inserting a hollow section (not shown) of moulded G.R.P. of corresponding shape to the open ends.

The panel 10 is then ready to be secured in place on a building. The edge 16 of the panel 10 overlaps the edge 54 of the composite panel 1 2 and is held in place by passing a bolt 56 through a washer 58, the edge strip 48, the edge portion 44, through the panel 1 2 and into engagement with a purlin (not shown) of the building. The edge 1 8 of the panel overlaps the edge 60 of the composite panel 14, to help retain the panel 14 in place.

The panel 10 is held in position at this side by a bolt 62, passing through a washer 64, the weather sheet 20, the foam block 52 and the liner sheet 28, the bolt engaging with a purlin of the building. The block 52 helps prevent the sheets 20 and 28 from being drawn towards each other under the force of the bolt. The bolt 56 passes through a flange of the panel 10 which is of double thickness and therefore increased strength and rigidity.

Along either side of the panel 10, the portion of the panel which overlaps the adjacent composite panels is also of double thickness thus also giving increased strength and rigidity.

In order to cover the joint between adjacent panels, and to protect the joint and bolt from rain and to present a pleasing exterior surface by concealing the bolts, an elongate inverted channel section plate 66 extends over the joint. The plate 66 includes an elongate bead 68 at either side formed by rolling over the sheet metal comprising the plate. The plate 66 is a snap fit over the joint, the opposed beads 68 being forced apart against the natural flexure of the plate 66, as the plate is moved downwardly over the joint, before snapping into elongate recesses 70 and 72 formed in upwardly extending ridges 74 and 76 of the panels 10 and 1 2 or 14 respectively.

In Figure 2A, the flange 78 shown at the left hand side of the drawing includes an intermediate portion 80, extending generally perpendicularly from the liner sheet, and an edge portion 82 directed outwardly and bonding with the under surface of a ridge 84 of the weather sheet. At the right hand side, the intermediate portion 86 of the flange 88 extends at a similar angle to that shown in Figure 1, with the edge portion including two angled portions 90 bonding with two angled faces provided by the under surface of a ridge 92.

In Figure 2B, the flanges 94 shown at either side of the liner sheet extend upwardly and outwardly to bond with the weather sheet at their upper regions.

Although, with reference to Figure 1, the transparent cladding panel has been shown with adjacent composite panels on either side, it will be appreciated that transparent cladding panels could be located adjacent to one another. Furthermore, the transparent panels and the cladding panels may be completely interchangeable to give any required configuration of panels on the outer walls or roof of a building.

Claims

1. A cladding panel comprising an outer sheet and an inner sheet, the inner sheet being spaced from the outer sheet and extending generally parallel to the outer sheet, the inner sheet including integrally formed connecting flanges along two opposed sides thereof, the connecting flanges extending towards, and being connected to the outer sheet.

2. A panel as claimed in Claim 1 in which the outer sheet extends beyond the portion of the inner sheet which extends generally parallel to the outer sheet along two opposed sides thereof.

3. A panel as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which at least one of the connecting flanges extends towards the outer sheet in a direction such that the included angle between the surface of the inner sheet facing the outer sheet and the connecting flange is less than 90 degrees.

4. A panel as claimed in Claim 3 in which the included angle is between 60 and 80 degrees.

5. A panel as claimed in Claim 3 in which the included angle is between 65 and 75 degrees.

6. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the connecting flanges includes an edge portion which extends outwardly.

7. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the connecting flanges is connected to the outer sheet along a strip.

8. A cladding panel substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A sheet including integrally formed connecting flanges extending away from the sheet along two opposed sides thereof, the connecting flanges being arranged to be connected to a further sheet to comprise a cladding panel with the sheet with connecting flanges comprising an inner sheet.

10. A sheet including integrally formed connecting flanges substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of assembling a cladding panel which includes an outer sheet and an inner sheet, the inner sheet having a pair of flanges along opposed sides thereof, the flanges extending away from the general extent of the inner sheet comprising bringing the outer sheet and the flanges into contact with one another whereby the outer sheet is spaced from but extends generally parallel to the inner sheet, and connecting the flanges to the outer sheet.

1 2. A method as claimed in Claim 11 including bonding the flanges to the outer sheet.

1 3. A method of assembling a cladding panel substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A cladding panel as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 which has been assembled by a method as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 1 3.