Patent ID: 8347569
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
1. An aluminum cladding system comprising a frame of channeled frame members to receive precision precut panel edges of adjacent panels, wherein each panel is self-aligned coplanarly by insertion of its edge into the channeled frame member in contact with a channel bottom, wherein a surface of adjacent panels are in the same plane for a smooth surface of a panel arrangement; a U-shaped retaining clip having a base and two upwardly extending, deformable sidewall arms that are forced apart by installation of a self-drilling screw, that passes through a hole in the base of the clip and into the frame member wherein countersink edges beneath a head of the screw contact mated chamfered edges of the clip; wherein a further rotation of the screw causes the arms of the deformable clip to separate, spread apart and force tips of the arms to symmetrically imbed into the precision precut edges of the panel members for captivation of the adjacent panels; wherein the retentive clip and screw mount and retain adjacent aluminum composite material (ACM) panels to lie in a coplanar manner on an extruded frame in a non-progressive system whereby individual panels are removable for replacement or repair.