GB2192205A - Sheet metal cladding - Google Patents

Abstract

Sheet metal panels for cladding buildings have inter-engaging edges 2 and 3 and central features 6 which engage with spring clips 7 mounted on underlying structural members. The edge features 4,5 are stepped inwardly to give a "gapped plank" effect matching the central features. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to the sheet cladding of buildings This invention relates to sheet-cladding of buildings having an underlying structural framework and more particularly to a sheet-cladding system which, once assembled, gives a "gapped-plank" appearance to the exterior of the building.

There is a requirement, from architects, for large areas of sheet-cladding to be broken up by ridges or depressions to give a "gappedplank' effect with vertical or horizontal channels running at intervals across the cladding.

Also there is a need, where large spans of cladding sheet material are employed, to prevent bulging or dishing between the edges of such cladding sheets.

We have now devized a sheet cladding system for a building which serves to meet these needs.

In one aspect the invention comprises a cladding-system for sheet-clad buildings, comprising two or more panels having mutuallyengagable edge-features which are attached to underlying structural members, characterized in that each panel has an intermediate feature, between said edge-features, which intermediate feature is adapted to be engaged with a spring-clip attached to an underlying structural member of the building.

Preferably the intermediate feature is of "dovetail" shape, becoming wider as it extends from the panel web.

Preferably the sheet material is sheet steel.

Preferably each of the edge features is mounted on an inwardly-stepped section of the panel, so as to give a "gapped plank" effect to the assembled cladding.

Preferably the spring-clips are attached. to vertical structural members of the building.

Preferably the cladding system is applied to the vertical walls, only, of the building.

Preferably-the gap formed by inwardlystepped sections of adjacent panels is of the same width as the narrowest part of the "dovetail" feature.

The invention will now be further described by reference to the accompanying 3 sheets of diagrammatic drawing wherein; FIGURE 1 shows a typical section through a cladding panel as used in the invention FIGURE 2-shows how the edge portions of such panels co-operate to give a "gapped plank effect and FIGURE 3 shows the co-operation of the central "dovetail" feature of the panel with a suitable spring-clip.

With reference first to FIGURE 1, a cladding panel according to this invention has a central web 1, and co-operating end formations 2, 3 in the form of a tongue 2 and a U-shaped clip 3, these formations being formed on inwardlystepped sections of the panel 4 and 5 respectively. In the centre of the panel is formed the dovetail formation 6 which is shaped and adapted to fit into and be held by an underlying spring-clip. The web 1 may have ribs or depressions (not shown) formed therein at intervals to give it additional structural strength and stiffness.

With reference to FIGURE 2, this shows how end features 2 and 3 co-operate on adjacent panels to leave a gapped plank effect between stepped sections 4 and 5 of adjacent panels.

With reference to FIGURE 3, the "dovetail" feature 6 is shown gripped by spring-clips 7, having limbs 7a and 7b, which are adapted to allow easy engagement of the sides of "dovetail" feature 6 within the limbs of the clip.

The clip is screwed to an underlying structural member e.g. by means of a self-tapping screw designated 8.

On assembly, the panels 1 are fitted together and attached to underlying sheetingrails or purlins via fixings e.g. screws (not shown) with features 4 and 5 abutting one another. The "dovetails" 6 are then pressed into the spring clips 7 by virtue of the resiiience of the limbs of the clips.

As a preferred feature, the width of the narrowest part of "dovetail" 6 is the same as the width of the gap formed by features 4 and 5 between plane surfaces of adjacent sheets.

1. A cladding-system for sheet-clad buildings, comprising two or more panels having mutually-engagable edge-features which are attached to underlying structural members, characterized in that each panel has an intermediate feature, between said edge-features, which intermediate feature is adapted to be engaged with a spring-clip attached to an underlying structural member of the building 2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intermediate feature is of dovetail shape, becoming wider as it extends from the panel web.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the edge-features is mounted on an inwardly-stepped section of the panel, so as to give a "gapped-plank" effect to the assembled cladding.

4. A system as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein the spring clips are attached to verti cal structural members of a building.

5. A cladding system as claimed in claim 1 which forms vertical walls of a building.

6. A cladding system as claimed in claims 2 or 3 wherein the gap formed by inwardly stepped features is of the same width as the narrowest part of the dovetail.

7. A cladding-wall system for sheet-clad buildings substantially as hereinbefore de scribed with reference to Figures 1, 2-and 3

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to the sheet cladding of buildings This invention relates to sheet-cladding of buildings having an underlying structural framework and more particularly to a sheet-cladding system which, once assembled, gives a "gapped-plank" appearance to the exterior of the building. There is a requirement, from architects, for large areas of sheet-cladding to be broken up by ridges or depressions to give a "gappedplank' effect with vertical or horizontal channels running at intervals across the cladding. Also there is a need, where large spans of cladding sheet material are employed, to prevent bulging or dishing between the edges of such cladding sheets. We have now devized a sheet cladding system for a building which serves to meet these needs. In one aspect the invention comprises a cladding-system for sheet-clad buildings, comprising two or more panels having mutuallyengagable edge-features which are attached to underlying structural members, characterized in that each panel has an intermediate feature, between said edge-features, which intermediate feature is adapted to be engaged with a spring-clip attached to an underlying structural member of the building. Preferably the intermediate feature is of "dovetail" shape, becoming wider as it extends from the panel web. Preferably the sheet material is sheet steel. Preferably each of the edge features is mounted on an inwardly-stepped section of the panel, so as to give a "gapped plank" effect to the assembled cladding. Preferably the spring-clips are attached. to vertical structural members of the building. Preferably the cladding system is applied to the vertical walls, only, of the building. Preferably-the gap formed by inwardlystepped sections of adjacent panels is of the same width as the narrowest part of the "dovetail" feature. The invention will now be further described by reference to the accompanying 3 sheets of diagrammatic drawing wherein; FIGURE 1 shows a typical section through a cladding panel as used in the invention FIGURE 2-shows how the edge portions of such panels co-operate to give a "gapped plank effect and FIGURE 3 shows the co-operation of the central "dovetail" feature of the panel with a suitable spring-clip. With reference first to FIGURE 1, a cladding panel according to this invention has a central web 1, and co-operating end formations 2, 3 in the form of a tongue 2 and a U-shaped clip 3, these formations being formed on inwardlystepped sections of the panel 4 and 5 respectively. In the centre of the panel is formed the dovetail formation 6 which is shaped and adapted to fit into and be held by an underlying spring-clip. The web 1 may have ribs or depressions (not shown) formed therein at intervals to give it additional structural strength and stiffness. With reference to FIGURE 2, this shows how end features 2 and 3 co-operate on adjacent panels to leave a gapped plank effect between stepped sections 4 and 5 of adjacent panels. With reference to FIGURE 3, the "dovetail" feature 6 is shown gripped by spring-clips 7, having limbs 7a and 7b, which are adapted to allow easy engagement of the sides of "dovetail" feature 6 within the limbs of the clip. The clip is screwed to an underlying structural member e.g. by means of a self-tapping screw designated 8. On assembly, the panels 1 are fitted together and attached to underlying sheetingrails or purlins via fixings e.g. screws (not shown) with features 4 and 5 abutting one another. The "dovetails" 6 are then pressed into the spring clips 7 by virtue of the resiiience of the limbs of the clips. As a preferred feature, the width of the narrowest part of "dovetail" 6 is the same as the width of the gap formed by features 4 and 5 between plane surfaces of adjacent sheets. CLAIMS

1. A cladding-system for sheet-clad buildings, comprising two or more panels having mutually-engagable edge-features which are attached to underlying structural members, characterized in that each panel has an intermediate feature, between said edge-features, which intermediate feature is adapted to be engaged with a spring-clip attached to an underlying structural member of the building

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intermediate feature is of dovetail shape, becoming wider as it extends from the panel web.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the edge-features is mounted on an inwardly-stepped section of the panel, so as to give a "gapped-plank" effect to the assembled cladding.

4. A system as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein the spring clips are attached to verti cal structural members of a building.

5. A cladding system as claimed in claim 1 which forms vertical walls of a building.

6. A cladding system as claimed in claims 2 or 3 wherein the gap formed by inwardly stepped features is of the same width as the narrowest part of the dovetail.

7. A cladding-wall system for sheet-clad buildings substantially as hereinbefore de scribed with reference to Figures 1, 2-and 3 of the drawings.