WO1997023696A1

WO1997023696A1 - A cladding board mounting system

Info

Publication number: WO1997023696A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000828
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Joseph Bado; Joseph Emmanuel Zarb; John Sidney Cottier
Original assignee: James Hardie Research Pty. Limited
Priority date: 1995-12-22
Filing date: 1996-12-20
Publication date: 1997-07-03
Also published as: AUPN731795A0; TW337541B

Abstract

A cladding board mounting/suspension system (10) comprising a cladding board (12) for mounting adjacent a surface (14) to be concealed, and at least two mounting members (20, 30) each mounting member including a first segment having an engaging formation (21, 31) adapted for releasable engagement with a complementary engaging formation (22, 32) in the cladding board and a second segment (23, 33) for releasable connection to the surface (14).

Description

A CLADDING BOARD MOUNTING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to cladding boards and particularly a system for

mounting or suspending cladding boards.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in mounting or

suspending cladding boards to the external walls of buildings. However, it will be

appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular use and, for example, is

equally suited ^: : mounting or suspending cladding boards to the internal walls or

surfaces of buildings or other like structures.

B AC . ROUND ART

Hitherto, known cladding board mounting systems have relied upon

embedded fasteners, front fixing fasteners or adhesives to mount cladding boards to

walls. Each of these systems has disadvantages.

For example, embedded fasteners such as captive nuts or wire hooks are

difficult and costly to produce and are inflexible in their application. Also,

complicated engaging and mating assemblies are required to be attached to the surface

on which the board is mounted.

Front fixing fasteners generally comprise screws inserted through the

cladding board and into wooden or metal battens previously attached to the building.

The major disadvantage of this system is that the exposed surface ofthe cladding

board must be re-finished in order to hide the screw heads and give a uniform and

attractive external appearance. This re-finishing is both time consuming and costly,

especially where the cladding boards are mounted to multi-story buildings, as it must be performed in-situ. Moreover, several types of cladding board have outer decorative

surfaces which cannot be easily or economically re-finished, if at all.

Adhesive cladding board systems avoid the re-finishing problems described above but are expensive to install due to the specialised adhesives required.

Moreover, the adhesives have been prone to failure over time and falling cladding

boards constitute a significant safety hazard.

It is an object ofthe present invention to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of these deficiencies ofthe prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly a first aspect ofthe present invention provides a cladding board

mounting system, the system including: a cladding board for mounting adjacent a surface to be concealed; and

at least two mounting members, each mounting member including a first

segment having an engaging formation adapted for releasable engagement with a

complementary engaging formation in the cladding board and a second segment adapted for releasable connection to the surface.

In a first embodiment, the complementary engaging formation in the cladding

board extends, in use, generally horizontally along the cladding board. The complementary engaging formation may comprise a V-shaped channel formed by a

pair of inwardly directed mutually diverging slots. Preferably, at least two mounting

members engage complementary engaging formations formed on a mounting face of

the cladding board adjacent the surface to be concealed. In another embodiment, each mounting member extends substantially across

the entire width ofthe cladding board. The engaging formation of each cladding

board preferably comprises an elongated member which is V-shaped in cross-section

and adapted to be slidably received in a complementary engaging formation ofthe

cladding board. At least one ofthe mounting members may include a mounting tab

adapted to facilitate connection ofthe mounting member to the surface to be

concealed. In use. this tab may extend substantially parallel to the surface and

includes an aperture or the like adapted to receive a fastener such as a screw,

therethrough.

In a further embodiment, the second segment of each mounting member

includes a downwardly directed support tab adapted to be cradled by a support bracket

mounted on the surface to be concealed.

In still a further embodiment, one mounting member is provided to engage a

respective complementary engaging formation formed on an upper or iower edge of

the cladding board.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a cladding board

suspension system, the system including:

a cladding board adapted for suspension adjacent a surface to be concealed;

and

at least one mounting member including a first segment having an engaging

formation adapted for releasable engagement with a complementary engaging

formation in an edge ofthe cladding board and a second segment adapted for

releasable connection to the surface. While the inventive mounting/suspension system is suitable for a wide range

of cladding board materials, the cladding board is preferably constructed of fibre

reinforced cement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the nature ofthe present invention may be more clearly

understood, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only,

with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a first embodiment of a cladding board

mounting system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of a cladding board

mounting system according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view of a third embodiment of a cladding board

mounting system according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a partial sectional side view of a cladding board suspension

system according to the second aspect ofthe present invention;

Figures 5-7 are front elevational views of various arrangements ofthe

cladding board mounting/suspension system according to the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a cladding board

forming part ofthe mounting/suspension system according to the present invention

showing two types of mounting members;

Figure 9 is perspective view of a support bracket for use with the cladding

board mounting/suspension system according to the present invention; and Figure 10 is a partial sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of a cladding

board mounting system according to the present invention including the mounting

bracket shown in Figure 9.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a cladding board mounting system

10. The system includes a cladding board 12, for mounting adjacent and substantially

parallel to a surface or wall 14 to be concealed, and at least two mounting members 20

and 30.

In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the uppermost mounting member

20 has a first segment with an engagement formation 21 , in the form of an elongated

member which is V-shaped in cross-section. Member 21 is adapted for releasable

engagement with a complementary engaging formation 22, in the form of a V-shaped

channel formed by a pair of inwardly directed mutually divergent siots cut, or

moulded, in the cladding board.

While the mounting system is not limited to the particular configuration of

Figure 1 , the applicants have found that this V-shaped channel 22 and V-shaped

elongated member 21 have proved particularly effective in supporting the cladding

board without reducing its structural integrity. To explain, many cladding boards, and

particularly cladding boards made from fibre reinforced cement, are cut using the

score and snap technique. This involves cutting a slot or groove in the cladding and

breaking the cladding board on a line defined by such a groove. The complementary

engaging formation 22 in the cladding board 12 may act to weaken the board in a

similar fashion. The applicants have found that numerous shapes and sizes ofthe complementary engaging formation may weaken the cladding board 12. The V-

shaped channel 22, on the other hand, in combination with V-shaped elongated

member 21 does not weaken the cladding board to the same extent as other types of

formations eg dovetail.

Further, with such a V-shaped channel and V-shaped elongated member, the

weight ofthe cladding board is supported on at least two longitudinal surfaces ofthe

elongated member 21 formed by the upper and lower fingers ofthe V. In a dovetail

configuration, for example, all the weight ofthe cladding board rests on the upper

surface ofthe dovetail leading to possible delaminating or tearing ofthe cladding

board.

Upper mounting member 20 also includes a second segment in the form of a

mounting tab 23 adapted for releasable connection to the adjacent surface 14. The

mounting tab 23 includes an aperture 24 which is adapted to receive a screw 26

therethrough. The screw may extend into the surface or wall itself or into or through

an intermediate member such as a wood or steel batten or an intermediate board, panel

or coating.

As with upper member 20, the lower mounting member 30 also includes an

engaging formation in the form of elongated member 31 which is V-shaped in cross-

section and, similar to member 21 , adapted for releasable engagement with a

complementary engaging formation, in the form of a V-shaped channel 32, cut or

formed in cladding board 12. The lower mounting member 30 also includes a

downwardly angled support tab 33 adapted to be cradled by support bracket 34 which is preferably affixed to the surface 14 by screws passing through has screw apertures

36. An upwardly angled extension 38 serves to cradle the support tab 32.

In use, the upper mounting member 20 and the support bracket 34 are

screwed to the surface 14. The lower mounting member 30 is then positioned abutting

the support bracket 34, as shown. The cladding board 12 may then be horizontally

slid along the mounting members into the desired position, with members 21 and 31

engaging respective V-shaped channels 22 and 32.

Alternatively, lower mounting member 30 can initially be slid into

engagement with the cladding board 12. The board 12 and the lower member 30 can

then be simultaneously slid into the position so that upper mounting member 20

engages channel 22, as shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 2, a second embodiment ofthe invention utilises two

mounting members 40, 50 identical to the lower mounting member 30 shown in the

Figure 1. In this embodiment, a pair of support brackets 44, 54 are used to cradle the

upper and lower mounting members 40 and 50 respectively to mount the cladding

board 12 against the surface 14. Similar to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1,

the mounting members 40, 50 can be slid into the board 12 and the board slid into

position along the support brackets 44, 54 respectively. Alternatively, the mounting

members 40, 50 can initially be placed in abutment with the support brackets 44, 54

and then the board 12 may be slid into the position shown. The embodiment shown in

Figure 2 also includes a right angled bracket 55 used as a stop or retainer to prevent

detachment of the cladding board 12 from the support brackets 44, 54 and to provide a spacer or seal between adjacent cladding boards. Such a bracket 55 may be provided

at upper and lower edges as well as the side edges ofthe cladding board.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment ofthe invention in which the upper

mounting member 60 has both an upwardly directed mounting tab 61 and a

downwardly directed support tab 62. The lower mounting member 70 has a support

tab 72 only. As with the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mounting tab 61

is adapted to be fixed to the surface 14, and support tab 62 is adapted to be cradled by

support bracket 64.

In this embodiment, the mounting members 60, 70 and support brackets 64,

74 are fixed to a batten 75 which includes the mounting surface 14. A protective layer

76 such as a water proof coating or insulating barrier is provided between the support

brackets 64, 74 and surface 14. Once the support brackets 64, 74 and mounting

members 60, 70 are fixed to the surface 14 the board is mounted by sliding the

elongated V-shaped members into the correspondingly shaped grooves formed in the

board.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a second aspect ofthe invention in which

there is provided a cladding board suspension system 80. The suspension system

includes a cladding board 12 adapted for suspension adjacent a surface to be concealed

82. This suspension system includes at least one suspension member 83 with a first

segment having an engaging formation 84 adapted for releasable engagement with a

complementary engaging formation 85 on an edge 86 of the board 12. The suspension

member 83 also includes second segment 87 which is adapted for releasable

connection to the surface by means of mounting tab 88. Similar to the embodiments of Figures 1-3, the engaging formation 84 ofthe

suspension member 83 comprises an elongated member which is V-shaped in cross-

section. Similarly, the complementary engaging formation 85 is in the form of a V- shaped channel.

As shown in Figure 4, the suspension member 83 is adapted to releasably

engage the complementary engaging formation 85 on an upper edge 86 ofthe cladding

board. A similar suspension member may be provided at the lower edge ofthe

cladding board and, if required, at the lateral edges.

This aspect ofthe invention provides for suspension of cladding boards

adjacent .ι surface to be concealed using only one suspension member. Alternatively

more than one suspension member may be used, for example along upper and lower

edges, to suspend the cladding board. Such suspension members may also be used in

conjunction with one or more ofthe mounting members according to aie first aspect of

the invention, such mounting members engaging the face 78 ofthe board adjacent to

the surface to be concealed 64.

Figures 5 and 6 show two examples of cladding board alignment patterns

used to cover buildings. The dashed lines 1 1 represent the position of the

complementary engaging formations formed in the various cladding boards 12. In this

case two such formations are provided for each board and positioned in the upper and

lower portions ofthe board 12.

Figure 7 represents another arrangement producing a diamond or tile like

effect. Once again the dashed lines 1 1 represent the position ofthe complementary

engaging formations in the boards. Figure 8 shows two embodiments of mounting members 90 and 92.

Mounting member 90 is provided with a downwardly directed support tab which is

angled at approximately 45° to cladding board 12. The support tab of mounting

member 92 is L-shaped in cross-section with the outermost portion extending

5 substantially parallel to the cladding board 12. Such a support tab 92 is adapted to be

cradled by the support bracket shown in Figure 9.

As shown in Figure 8, it is preferred that the elongated V-shaped members

extend substantially the entire width ofthe cladding board. Not only does this provide

more reliable attachment ofthe cladding board, it also serves to strengthen the

l o cladding board. The mounting members act as reinforcement to reduce buckling or

bending of the cladding board during use and/or, if necessary, during transportation.

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a support bracket adapted to cradle

the support tab ofthe mounting /suspension member. The support bracket 100 is in

the form of L-shaped bracket and includes two holes 102 for bolting, screwing or

15 nailing the bracket to the surface 14 (see Figure 10) to be concealed, either directly or

via an intermediate support member.

Figure 10 shows a fifth embodiment of a cladding board mounting system

utilising the support brackets 100 of Figure 9. The wall or surface 94 to be concealed

is attached to an internal steel frame comprising horizontal steel girts 95 and vertical

20 "top hat" members 96. The wall or surface 94 comprises a series of individual panels

affixed or screwed to the top hats. The support brackets 100 are also fastened to the

top hats by screws which pass through panel 94. The brackets 100 support the

cladding board 12 by cradling the downwardly directed support tabs of mounting members 103 and 104. The support brackets 100 also serve to space the cladding

board 12 from the surface to be concealed. Joining members or appropriate trimming,

not shown, can be placed between the adjacent edges ofthe cladding boards to close

gap 106, prevent moisture ingress and provide a neat external appearance.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific

examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be

embodied in many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. A cladding board mounting system comprising:

a cladding board for mounting adjacent a surface to be concealed; and

at least two mounting members, each mounting member including a first

segment having an engaging formation adapted for releasable engagement with a

complementary engaging formation in the cladding board, and a second segment

adapted for releasable connection to the surface.

2. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each

complementary engaging formation in the cladding board extends, in use, generally

horizontally along the cladding board.

3. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein

each mounting member extends substantially across the entire width ofthe cladding

board.

4. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in any one ofthe previous

claims wherein the complementary engaging formation comprises a V-shaped channel

formed by a pair of inwardly directed mutually diverging slots.

5. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in any one ofthe previous

claims wherein at least two mounting members engage complementary engaging

formations formed on a mounting face ofthe cladding board adjacent the surface to be

concealed.

6. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in any one ofthe previous

claims wherein one mounting member is provided to engage a respective complementary engaging formation formed on an upper or lower edge ofthe cladding

board.

7. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in any one ofthe previous

claims wherein the engaging formation of each mounting member comprises an

elongated member which is V-shaped in cross-section and adapted to be slidably

received in the complementary engaging formation in the cladding board.

8. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in any one ofthe previous

claims wherein at least one of said mounting members includes a mounting tab

adapted to facilitate connection ofthe mounting member to the surface.

9. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said tab, in

use, extends substantially parallel to the surface.

10. A cladding board mounting system as claimed in any one ofthe previous

claims wherein said second segment of each mounting member includes a

downwardly directed support tab adapted to be cradled by a support bracket mounted

on the surface to be concealed.

11. A cladding board suspension system comprising:

a cladding board adapted for suspension adjacent a surface to be concealed;

and

at least one suspension member, including a first segment having an engaging

formation adapted for releasable engagement with a complementary engaging

formation an edge of cladding board, and a second segment adapted for releasable

connection to the surface.

12. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in claim 11 wherein each

horizontally along the cladding board.

13. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 12

wherein each suspension member extends substantially across the entire width ofthe

cladding board.

14. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 13

wherein the complementary engaging formation comprises a V-shaped channel

formed by a pair of inwardly directed mutually diverging slots.

15. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14

wherein the engaging formation of each suspension member comprises an elongated

member which is V-shaped in cross-section and adapted to be slidably received in the

complementary engaging formation in the cladding board.

16. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in ?.πy one of claims 11 to 15

wherein at least one of said mounting members includes a mounting tab adapted to

facilitate connection ofthe mounting member to the surface.

17. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said tab,

in use, extends substantially parallel to the surface.

18. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said tab,

in use, extends substantially parallel to the surface.

19. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18

wherein said cladding board is constructed of fibre reinforced cement.

20. A cladding board suspension system as claimed in any one ofthe previous

claims wherein said cladding board is constructed of fibre reinforced cement.

21. A cladding board suspension system substantially as hereinbefore described

with reference to any one ofthe accompanying drawings.

22. A cladding board mounting system substantially as hereinbefore described

with reference to any one ofthe accompanying drawings.