GB2520433A

GB2520433A - Attachment system

Info

Publication number: GB2520433A
Application number: GB1420097.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Simmons
Original assignee: SIMCO EXTERNAL FRAMING SOLUTIONS UK Ltd
Current assignee: SIMCO EXTERNAL FRAMING SOLUTIONS UK Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-12
Filing date: 2014-11-12
Publication date: 2015-05-20
Also published as: GB201319928D0; GB201420097D0

Abstract

System for sequentially attaching at least two panels 11a, 12a to a building wall 30, each panel having a first and second attachment part 11, 12 respectively, wherein a boss 13 holds the first and second attachment parts in position, relative to each other, secured to the wall by fixing means 19 e.g. self drilling screws. The bracket 13 may have a slot 14 for engaging with a complementary projection on the first attachment part 11 of an upper panel 11a, and notches 16, 17, 17a for engaging with complementary elongate ridges 18 on the second attachment part 12 of a lower panel 12a. The slot receives the projection 11 a predetermined distance such that the gap between panels 11b, 12b, set by the notches and ridges, is maintained. The attachment parts may be integral to the panel. The second attachment part may be clamped between the boss and the wall. Alternatively the boss may clamp a spacer (31, figure 5) when attaching the first panel.

Description

Attachment System

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an attachment system which is suitable for securing panels to a wall of a building.

Background of the Invention

It is known to connect a panel to a wall of a building for example to clad the external walls of a building to enhance its appearance.

However, it will be appreciated that it can be difficult to ensure that the panels are arranged correctly and are fixed securely in the correct position with the systems that are currently available.

Many different forms of system have been developed to allow mounting of panels of various shapes and sizes to the building. It is very difficult however with known systems to ensure the strength and accuracy and security as the process is being carried out. Furthermore, in order to achieve an accurate and secure mounting, a considerable amount of time and effort is usually required. The present invention is designed to solve these problems with known systems to provide for both faster and more secure installation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to produce a simple and secure fixing which, due to its simplicity and versatility, can assist in allowing the building panels to be mounted more quickly and with greater accuracy and without compromising safety, as compared to known systems currently available.

Summary of the Invention

With this arrangement, it will be realised that the ease of mounting panels securely to a wall can be maximised leading to greater speed and accuracy of use of the mounting.

According to the present invention there is provided an attachment system for attaching panels sequentially to a wall of a building wherein the system comprises: two or more panels wherein each panel comprises a first attachment part and a second attachment part; and, a boss, wherein the boss holds the first and second attachment parts of adjacent panels in a desired position relative to each other when the boss, the first attachment part and the second attachment part are secured to the wall of the building by fixing means.

The system disclosed herein eliminates the need for setting out (positioning) individual panels in the traditional way using measures and levelling equipment, i.e. where it may be necessary to use a measuring device and levelling mean to locate each panel relative to neighbouring panels. Hence the time taken to install the panels is reduced, whilst improving the accuracy and speed with which panels may be attached. With the attachment system disclosed herein, once the first panel has been corectly installed on a wall, such that it is correctly orientated, subsequently attached panels may be aligned with the first panel by means of the attachment system disclosed herein.

Preferably the attachment system comprises a boss that comprises a slot.

More preferably the attachment system comprises a boss that comprises one or more notches.

Preferably the attachment system comprises a first attachment part that comprises a projection that, in use, engages with the slot in the boss.

The provision of notches on the attachment part that engage with slots on the boss provided a means to allow the distance between the edges of adjacent panels to be adjusted.

More preferably there is provided an attachment system wherein the second attachment part comprises one or more projections that, in use, cooperate with the one or more notches of the boss.

Preferably there is provided an attachment system wherein the boss comprises a slot and one or more notches and wherein in use the slot receives a corresponding projection on the first attachment part and the notches engage with a complementary projection(s) on the second attachment part.

Preferably there is provided an attachment system wherein the first and/or second attachment parts are integrally formed as part of the panel.

Preferably there is provided an attachment system wherein the first and/or second attachment parts are generally L shaped.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of securing an attachment system to a wall of a building comprising the steps of using a boss, a first attachment part and a second attachment part, comprising the steps of i) rigidly attaching the boss to the wall using fixing means such that the second attachment part is fixed in position, and hence a panel attached to the second attachment part is also fixed in place, ii) and attaching a second panel to the boss by means of a first attachment part that comprises a projection that engages with a slot in the boss; iii) attaching the second panel to a second boss by means of a second attachment part such that the second boss and the second panel may be rigidly attached to the wall using fixing means.

More preferably there is provided a method of securing an attachment system to a wall wherein the second attachment parts of the panels are fixed to the wall such that the second attachment parts are fixed in a position between the bosses and the wall.

More preferably there is provided a method of attaching panels to a wall as wherein; a first boss is rigidly attached to the wall using fixing means, optionally using a spacer located between the boss and the wall; attaching a first panel to the boss by means of a first attachment part; and, wherein the first panel is attached to a second boss by means of a second attachment part and fixing means such that the panel is rigidly attached to the wall, More preferably there is provided a method of attaching panels to a wall wherein the last panel in a series of panels that is attached to a wall is attached to the wall by means of a boss and a second attachment means on a panel, using fixing means.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming an attachment system as disclosed above wherein the kit of parts comprises one or more first and second attachment parts and one or more bosses, According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the drawings.

Preferably said attachment can be formed from any suitable material as desired or as appropriate for example a metallic and/or plastics materials can be used depending upon circumstances and location, Each type of area may have a particular requirement for such material one or the other,

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings in which:--Figure Ia illustrates a perspective view of an attachment system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a panel comprising attachment parts according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is an end view of a panes comprising first and second attachment parts according to the present invention, Figure 4a is a rear perspective view of a boss according to the present invention.

Figure 4b is a front perspective view of a boss according to the present invention, Figure 5 of the drawings shows a perspective view of a first boss attached to a building by use of a spacer and fixing means, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a panel engaged with a boss, the boss having been attached to a building by use of a spacer and fixing means.

Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating how a panel, a boss and fixing means are assembled and connected to a building, and how a further panel engages with the boss.

Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a panel that has been fixed to a building by means of bosses in accordance with the present invention, Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating a first panel fixed in place using bosses in accordance with the present invention and a second panel also engaged with one of the bosses.

Referring now to figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown one form of an attachment system in accordance with the present invention. The system comprises first and second attachment parts (11 and 12 respectively) and a boss (13) which is used to hold the attachment parts (11 and 12) in a desired position relative to each other.

The relative positions of the attachment parts (II and 12) and the boss (13) are fixed by the use of known fixing means (19), such as self-drilling screws.

Figure Ia illustrates an expanded perspective view of an attachment system according to the present invention that differs from the system shown in figure 1 in that two fixing means (19) have been used to fix the attachment parts (11 and 12) and the boss (13) in place relative to each other, rather than one fixing means as shown in figure 1 As previously mentioned the fixing of the attachment parts (1] and U) and the boss (13) in place relative to each other is achieved by the use of known fixing means (19), such as self drilling screws, that are affixed either directly to a building or to a component rigidly attached to a building (30).

The attachment parts (11 and 12) are generally L shaped and are shown in figure 1 as being formed integrally with the panels (1 Ia and 12a) respectively, this can be seen more clearly on figures 2 and 3, wherein a panel (lla/12a) is shown comprising L shaped attachment parts (11 and 12) and the main body of a panel (llaIl2a). It will be appreciated that each panel (I Ia/12a) used in accordance with the present invention comprises the L shaped attachment parts (11 and 12). The panels (1 IaIl2a) also comprise two elongate projections (18) that are used to engage two of the notches (16, 17, 17a) of the boss (13), on the attachment part (12) of the panel (lla/12a) that can also be seen clearly on figures 2 and 3. It will of course be appreciated that the attachment parts (11 and 12) can be formed as separate attachments to the panels I Ia and/or 12a, i.e. the L shaped attachment parts can be formed separately from the panels and attached to the panels (1 Ia and 2a) using known means. However, the panel shown in figures 2 and 3 comprises attachment parts (11 and 12) that are preformed as part of said panel (IIaIl2a), The second attachment part is generally similar to the first attachment part and the comments above apply equally to this part.

The attachment part (12) of the panel (lia!12a) shown in figures 2 and 3 is generally L shaped as mentioned above. In use, the planar section (12c) of the L shaped attachment part (12) that incorporates the projections (18) (i.e. the section of the panel (lla/12a) that abuts the wall of the building (30) to which the panel is to be affixed) can be seen on figure 6.

The attachment part (11) of the panel (lla/12a), as shown in figures 2 and 3 is also generally L shaped as mentioned above. In use it is the shorter section (lIc) of the attachment part (11) that is inserted into the slot (14) of the boss (13) such that, in use, the upper face of the longer section (1 U) of the attachment part (1) abuts the boss (13).

The boss (13), see figure 4a and 4b is preferably made from a lightweight material and this can be aluminium or any other suitable material as appropriate. The boss (13) has a longitudinal slot (14) formed therein and also comprises a series of notches (16, 17 and 17a) two of which, in use, engage with complementary projections (18) on a second attachment part of a panel. The longitudinal slot (14) is preferably shaped such that, in use, the L shaped attachment part (11) inserts a pre-determined distance into the slot (14) such that the distance between the edges of adjacent panels (12b and 1 lb, on figure 1) is maintained at a fixed distance. The slot (14) and the attachment part (12b) are in the form of an engagement fitting. The boss (13) shown on figure 4a and 4b is indicated as having pre-drilled openings (41 and 42) by which the boss may be fixed to an attachment part (12) using known means.

It will be appreciated that the boss does not need to include the pre-drilled openings (41 and 42), see the method of installation described below wherein the openings (41 arid 42) are formed as part of the installation method, i.e. wherein one or more openings are drilled through the boss (13) and the attachment part (U) using means such as self-drilling screws. However, if pre-drilled openings are provided it may be preferable that multiple holes are pre-drilled that allow the attachment of the boss (13) and the attachment part (12) using either the notches 17a and 17, or 17 and 16, as is described below; thus enabling the distance between adjacent panels to be varied as desired.

In use, an installer will attach the first and second parts (11 and 12) to a building using the boss (13) as a guide; the attachment parts ( I and U) are linked to one another via the boss (13). The slot (14) engages with an edge portion of the second attachment part (12) and the notches (16 and 17) on the surface of the boss 13 engage with the projections on the first attachment part (ii). Use of the system in this way allows the position of the parts to be aligned and provides the ability to allow the adjustment of the parts relative to each other to achieve an accurate installation; forming either a larger or smaller shadow gap (typically either a 10mm or 20mm gap) whilst ensuring that the panels do not creep out of line during installation. The system disclosed herein eliminates the need for setting out (positioning) individual panels in the traditional way using measures and levelling equipment.

Reference is now made to figure 5 of the drawings. In use a pair of bosses (13) are fixed to a building, or to a component rigidly attached to a building, (30), by the use of known fixings means (19) such as self drilling screws; see figure 5 wherein one of the pair of bosses (13) is shown. It will be appreciated that the pair of bosses (13) are mounted on the building in a correct orientation for the attachment of a panel, i.e. if the panel (12a) is to be mounted such that lower edge of the panel (12c) is to be horizontal to the ground, once the panel is installed on a building, the bosses (13) will be mounted horizontally level relative to each other on the building (30). The bosses are attached to the building (30), and are separated from each other such that they can be engaged with generally opposite ends of a first attachment part (11) of a panel (12a), one boss is shown attached to one of a panel in figure 6. When the first boss is attached to a building, a spacer (31) is located between the bosses (13) and the building (30), the spacer is of a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the generally planar section (12c) of the attachment parts (12) of the panels (la/12a); when subsequent panels are attached to bosses the spacer is not required due to the presence of the attachment part (12 c) located between the boss (13) and the building (30) as shown on figure 8. For the sake of clarity and simplicity the installation of the panel is described herein with respect to a single boss (13), it will be appreciated by the skilled man that corresponding actions are required to be carried out in relation to a second boss (not shown), located at the opposite end of the panel to the boss (H) that is shown in the figures provided herein and referred to in the description, i.e. in the present case the panels are fixed in place using pairs of bosses (13) that are located at the same horizontal height on the wall.

Once the parts are in the correct position, they are then secured in position in conventional manner.

Reference is now made to figure 6 of the drawings wherein a perspective view is provided illustrating a panel (]2a) that has been attached to a building (30) by use of a spacer (31), and known fixing means (19) such as a pair of self drilling screws as shown on figure 6. It will be appreciated that alternative fixing means may be used such as nuts and bolts, screws, etc. The attachment part (12) of the panel 12a is then fixed to the building (30) by use of a boss (13) and known fixing means, see figure 7, Figure 7 illustrates how the fixing means (19), the boss (13) and the attachment part (12) of the panel (12a) are arranged relative to each other for assembly. The fixing means (19), in this case comprises two self-drilling screws that are used to drill two holes through the boss (13), the attachment part (12) of the panel (12a) and througWinto the face of the building (30); the face of the building may comprise steel, concrete, etc. The attachment parts, when using self drilling screws, drill holes along the lines A and Al as shown, on figure 7. It will be appreciated by the skilled man that in the present case the face of the building (30) to which the panel is being attached is illustrated as comprising a panel/plate into which the self-drilling screws (19) can drill.

Alternative forms of attachment means may be used including any fixing means that are appropriate to the material from which the face of the building is manufactured.

Once the boss (13) and the attachment part (12) are fixed to the building (30) and to each other by the fixing means, the attachment part (11) of the next panel ( a) can then be inserted into the slot (11), as generally indicated by the line B on figure 7, such that the arrangement of panels (1 Ia and 12a) is as shown on figure 9.

The process of attaching the panel (Ha) to the building (30) using a boss (13) and fixing means is then repeated as described above wherein panel (I Ia) would become an equivalent of panel (12a) as shown on figures 1, Ia, 6, 7, 8 and figure 9.

Figure 8 illustrates the boss (13) and the attachment part (12) of the panel (12a) wherein they have been fixed to each other such that the two elongate projections (18) on the attachment part (11) are aligned with two notches (17 and 17a) on the boss (13). If the elongate projections (18) on the attachment part had instead been aligned with the notches 16 and 17 on the boss (13) then the gap between the lower edge (1 lb) of the panel (1 Ia) and the upper edge (12b) of the panel (12a) see figure 9 would be increased in size when the next panel (1 Ia) is fixed in place; typically the size of the gap would be increased from 10mm to 20mm with the attachment system disclosed herein, although it will be appreciated that larger or smaller variations in the sizes of gaps may be provided.

The top most panel, in a series of panels attached to a building, is simply held in place by a boss (13) and the size of the attachment part (12c) may be reduced in size by cuffing if required.

The adjustment device of the invention makes the installation of panels very easy arid accurate. Furthermore the slot on the boss and the notches therein which are in engagement provide a particularly strong connection.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which as described by way of example only.

For instance the system described above utilises pairs of bosses at each end of the panel, it will be appreciated that other arrangements of bosses are possible such as using a single boss located at the bottom of the panels and a further boss at the top of the panels. Alternatively, bosses could be located on each side of each panel such that the bosses may be attached to horizontally adjacent panels Thus and in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system for attaching at least one panel to a wall of a building, said system comprising a first attachment attached to said wall of a building and a second attachment on the panel, one or both of said first arid second attachments having formations thereon which can engage with each other and with said other attachment, said formation comprises a slot into which said other attachment engages to form a simple attachment system, without compromising strength or accuracy of assembly, In alternative embodiment of the invention the first boss that is attached to a building may be provided with an increased thickness such that a spacer (3]) does not need to be located between the boss (]3) and the building (30). The increased thickness of the boss corresponds to the thickness of the spacer (31) that is normally used, and hence to the thickness of the attachment part (12) of a panel (]2a).

The device is formed by a first attachment part which is attached to or that can be integral to the board can be mounted and the second corresponding part of the mount is attached to the device comprising the first attachment part. In use, the attachment devices are used to attach themselves to the mount between the two parts. The device parts which are formed by members and the mounting of the device itself can be linked or attached together using the system described in relation to the present invention.

Attachment system comprises: S a boss (first attachment part) attachable to a wall; and, a L shaped attachment part (second attachment part); wherein the first attachment and/or second attachment parts have formations thereon which can engage with the other attachment part (corresponding formations on the other attachment part) Attachment system for attaching at least one panel to a wall of a building, said system comprising a first attachment (boss) attached to said wall of a building and a second attachment on the panel, one or both of said first and second attachments having formations thereon which can engage with each other and with said other attachment, said formation comprises a slot into which said other attachment engages to form a simple attachment system, without compromising strength or accuracy of assembly.