Abstract:
The present subject matter relates to method(s), system(s) and device(s) for cladding of materials, and in particular to an undercut clip anchor system. The system comprises a horizontal rail which mounts both an upper undercut clip and a lower undercut clip for attaching an upper cladding panel and a lower cladding panel, respectively. Serrations on the undercut clips and on a nut bar serrated washer allow for the accurate vertical adjustment of the cladding panels.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application relates to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/064,019 filed Oct. 15, 2014, herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The exemplary teachings herein pertain to method(s), system(s) and device(s) used in the field of anchorage systems for facades or cladding of materials, for example as may be disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,481, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Other products used to anchor cladding materials via undercut anchors require two horizontal rails per row of material or do not incorporate a bolt/nut vertical adjustment. 
         [0004]    If the material is not thick enough to allow for kerf or pin anchors that support the stone from the top, bottom or sides, there are other products to accommodate this such as: 
         [0005]    Concealed Anchoring System for Façade Panels by Keil. However, this system requires two horizontal rails behind each panel of stone. The drawback of this system is that it requires two horizontal rails behind each panel of stone. Because there are two horizontal rails, there is twice as much material than a single rail. Therefore, the cost of material will be higher and more labor will be required to install two rails. Also, the adjusting bolts are located further from the top of the cladding panel, which makes it more difficult to adjust. 
         [0006]    Sureclad by Crossville. However, this system does not incorporate a bolt/nut vertical adjustment. This system also requires fasteners to connect to the horizontal rails. The drawback of this system is that it does not incorporate adjusting bolts, so the vertical alignment of the cladding panel is not simple or easy to adjust. Also, screws or fasteners are required to connect the “straps” attached to the panel to the horizontal. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists for one or more methods, systems and devices which are directed towards overcoming the above described problems, limitation or deficiencies. Accordingly, address the above stated issues, the method(s), system(s) and device(s) disclosed herein fulfill such a need by providing an improved undercut clip anchor system for cladding of materials. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The exemplary technique(s), system(s), device(s) and method(s) presented herein to an undercut clip anchor system for cladding of materials. The disclosed undercut clip anchor system comprises only one horizontal rail (“H 3 ”) per row stone, whereas other known undercut anchoring systems incorporate two horizontal rails per row of stone. Serrations on the undercut clip (“UCC”) and nut bar serrated washer (“NB 3 ”) allow for adjustments needed to accommodate for stone tolerances; or if the undercut clips were not installed correctly (due to human error), they can easily be adjusted. The undercut clips cannot be seen through the joints in the cladding material. The unique bolt/nut/track design disclosed herein allows for highly accurate adjustment of stones vertically. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure provides for accurate installation of panel cladding materials (natural stone, porcelain, concrete, etc.). Further, the undercut clips are not seen through the horizontal joint between panels. Additionally, only one horizontal rail is needed and used per row of stone. Also, a single rail supports the weight the stone below it and restrains the stone above it from rotation. The system allows for cladding of thinner materials (less than 3 cm) that cannot be anchored at the top, bottom, or sides. A unique bolt/nut/track design allows for highly accurate adjustment of stones vertically. Serrations on the UCC and NB3 allow for adjustments needed to accommodate for stone tolerances or installation errors. The minimal amount of different pieces used in the systems minimizes confusion and makes installation relative quick and easy. 
         [0010]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the drawing figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is an enlarged side view of the H 3  horizontal rail of the disclosed system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the H 3  horizontal rail illustrating its actual size. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the alternate H 3 . 1  horizontal rail. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of the detail portion A of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of the UCC 1  undercut clip of the disclosed system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of the detail portion A of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3C  is an enlarged view of the detail portion B of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3D  is an enlarged view of the detail portion C of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the UCC 2  undercut clip of the disclosed system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the UCC 2  undercut clip. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  is a front view of the UCC 2  undercut clip. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  is a partially cut away perspective view of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6B  is a front view of the undercut clip anchor system of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of the undercut clip anchor system of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6D  is a top view of the undercut clip anchor system of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0028]      FIGS. 7A-7F  are views illustrating typical system dimensions of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating typical dead load anchor detail of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating typical mullion splice detail of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a view illustrating typical wind load anchor detail of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating typical bottom clip detail of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating typical intermediate clip detail of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a view illustrating typical top clip detail of the undercut clip anchor system the present disclosure in use. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a view illustrating typical dead load anchor plan of the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The following description refers to numerous specific details which are set forth by way of examples to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. It should be apparent to those skilled in the an that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. 
         [0037]    The disclosed undercut clip anchor system comprises one or more of the following components, including without limitation: H 3  or H 3 . 1  horizontal rail, UCC 1  or UCC 2  undercut clips, NB 3  nut bar serrated washer, undercut anchor such as Keil, GSD, or similar, bolt(s), e.g., 6 mm×40 mm hex head machine bolt, nut(s), e.g., 6 mm nut, and structural silicone or similar. These components are illustrated in the attached drawings and design detail. 
         [0038]    Based on the particular installation or design, the H 3  horizontal rail is attached to a back-up wall (metal stud, CMU, or concrete). Alternately, an H 3 . 1  horizontal rail is attached to one of to the Applicant&#39;s vertical mullions (M 1 , M 12 , or M 4 ) via an MSC/HLC connection. The particular design will determine the spacing of these horizontal rails. The horizontal rails transfer the loading of the cladding material to the back-up structure. 
         [0039]    As required by the particular design, a certain quantity (typically four) of the UCC clips are attached to the back of the cladding material with undercut anchors and the NB 3  serrated washers. The M 6  nuts and bolts are inserted into the UCC clips at the top of the material (typically two). When hanging/installing the cladding material, the bolt/nut/track interaction allows for the accurate vertical adjustment of the cladding panels. Structural silicone is applied to adhere the UCC clips and bolts to the horizontal rails. 
         [0040]    The H 3  horizontal rail is attached to a vertical substrate. Therefore, it transfers the load of the cladding material to that substrate. Four UCC clips are attached to the back of the cladding material via undercut anchors and are attached as shown on the detail. Two bolts and nuts are inserted into the tracks in the two UCC clips attached to the top of the cladding material as shown in the detail. Once all pieces are located properly, the cladding material can be addressed to the two H 3  horizontal rails (one at the horizontal joint above and one at the horizontal joint below). The material can then be “hung” onto the horizontal rail above and restrained from rotation by the horizontal rail below. The weight of the material is transferred from the cladding material to the undercut anchors, which is then transferred to the undercut clips, which is then transferred to the nuts and bolts, which is then transferred to the horizontal rail, which is then transferred to the vertical substrate. 
         [0041]    The same undercut clip (UCC) is used at the top and bottom of the cladding material, which minimizes the amount of different parts in the system. The nut/bolt/track configuration allows for quick and accurate installation of cladding materials. The H 3  horizontal rail is designed to support the weight of the cladding material below it and restrain the cladding material above it from rotation or movement. The system is to be used for cladding panelized materials. It is ideal for use when anchors cannot be used at the top, bottom, or sides of the material. 
         [0042]    In an alternate embodiment, the undercut clip anchor system of the present disclosure can be utilized with Applicant&#39;s ESW and/or ESV systems (incorporated herein by reference) by changing the H 3  horizontal rail to the H 3 . 1  horizontal rail which has a C-Channel along the back of the horizontal to accommodate the HLC (Horizontal Locking Clip). Thus, in lieu of attaching the H 3  horizontal rail to a vertical substrate or back-up wall, the H 3 . 1  horizontal rail can be used which incorporates a C-Channel along the back of it. This allows for Applicant&#39;s “Horizontal Direct Fixing” to be attached to it, so it could be used with any of Applicant&#39;s mullions and “snap” into place. 
         [0043]    It is foreseen that any material could be clad with the use of this system if the material is strong enough and capable of taking an undercut anchor. Thus, while the system is particularly suited for use with natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile, it could also be used to support other materials such as glass, concrete, wood, metal, etc. While the above discussed embodiment(s) have been described with reference to the attached drawings and detail, the system and components thereof generally can take any suitable size and shape. Additionally, the components can be made from any suitable material capable of adequately performing their respective intended functions. 
         [0044]    While the preferred and alternate embodiment(s) are illustrative of the structure, function and operation of the exemplary method(s), system(s) and device(s), it should be understood that various modifications may be made thereto with departing from the teachings herein. While the foregoing discussion presents the teachings in an exemplary fashion with respect to the disclosed method, system and device for an undercut clip anchor system for cladding of materials, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the teachings may apply to any type of anchor system. Further, while the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein.