CLADDING SYSTEM

Abstract: A cladding system comprises a plurality of adjacent cladding members (1, 1′, 1″) each having a portion (4) for securing to the surface (3,2) to be clad, and an interlocking portion (7) adapted to interlock with and overly a securing portion of an adjacent cladding member. At the interlock between two such cladding members there is defined an anti-capillary channel (11) of relatively large dimensions that prevents water being drawn into the interlock by capillary action and thus promoting corrosion of the fixing elements such as nails (5).

Description: This invention relates to a cladding member for buildings. It is known to clad the sides of buildings with cladding members, for example elongate cladding members formed of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) that simulate traditional wooden planking. Such cladding members may be applied to the surface to be clad either horizontally or vertically as the situation demands, and secured by means of nails, cleats or other fixing means. Conventionally the cladding members are provided with interlocking portions whereby adjacent cladding members may overly and interlock one another to provide a weather-proof cladding. In some arrangements the overlapping cladding members shield the fixing means which secure the members to the building and which are provided in the region of the interlock. In US-A-4 308 702 there is disclosed a system using interlocking plastic panels. The interlock is formed by a downwardly and inwardly directed flange along one edge engaging in a U-shaped channel in a raised portion adjacent the other edge. The U-shaped channel is disposed inwardly of the edge, and a fixing nail is positioned between the channel and the edge. In US-A-2 948 367 there is disclosed a similar arrangement, but this has a second flange spaced inwardly of the first, so that there is defined a chamber or channel to receive parts of a like panel with which the panel is interlocked. A problem with known arrangements is that the interlock between two adjacent cladding members tends to define narrow spaces extending between the cladding members and along which water may be drawn by capillary action. Such water can have a detrimental effect on the fixing of the underlying cladding member to the surface, for example by promoting corrosion of the fixing means. This can be particularly troublesome in the case of fixing by means of e.g. nails directly in the interlocked region. According to the present invention there is provided a cladding member for engagement with like members in an overlapping fashion, the member having an outer side and inner side, a longitudinally extending fixing region adjacent one edge for receiving fixing means to secure the cladding member to a surface, a longitudinally extending securing portion adjacent said one edge, projecting from the outer side of the member, a first longitudinally extending flange adjacent the other edge of the member, projecting from the inner side of the member, the first flange being adapted to engage the securing portion of a like member, and a second longitudinally extending flange adjacent said other edge of the member, projecting from the inner side of the member, there being a channel defined between the two flanges and the arrangement being such that the fixing region and the securing portion will be covered by the like member, characterised in that the second flange is arranged to extend to adjacent the outer side of a like member, is disposed outwardly of the first flange, and is arranged to be disposed outwardly of the fixing region of the like member; and in that the channel is arranged to provide an anti-capillary channel between the second flange of the member and region of engagement of the first flange with the securing portion of the like member. By means of this arrangement the fixing means, e.g. a nail, is protected from both directly driven rain, and water drawn indirectly into the cladding by capillary action through interlocked portions. By the term "anti-capillary channel" is meant a channel or groove, such as a capillary groove, which is of relatively large dimensions compared to the spaces that are otherwise defined between two interlocked cladding members so that capillary action cannot occur, or is at least substantially reduced. Furthermore, the region of interlock is inwardly of the second flange and thus protected, as opposed to the exposed interlocking regions in US-A-2 948 367 and US-A-4 308 702. An anti-capillary channel per se is known from DE-A-3 401 891. However, in other respects the arrangement disclosed in that document differs considerably from the present invention and from US-A-2 948 367 and US-A-4 308 702. In general the cladding members will be generally elongate and the flanges and securing portion, and also the anti-capillary channel, will extend parallel to the member for substantially the entire length of the member. Preferably the securing portion is a raised portion. It is preferred that the fixing region be in a portion which is substantially thicker than the remainder of the cladding member. This is advantageous when it is desired to secure, e.g. by nailing, a cladding member formed of a relatively soft material, such as cellular foam. This can be achieved by having the securing portion as a thickened rib, through which the fixing means such as a nail can pass. Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a surface clad with cladding members according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a second embodiment. Referring firstly to Fig. 1 a cladding member 1, in the form of an elongate cladding plank, is fixed to a wall 2 via a batten 3. It will be appreciated though that in some circumstances the cladding member 1 may be fixed directly to the wall 2 without the need of an intermediary batten. It will also be appreciated that Fig. 1 shows portions of adjacent underlying and overlying cladding members 1′ and 1" that interlock with cladding member 1 in a manner to be described below. The cladding member 1 is in the form of an elongate cladding plank and is formed along one edge with a securing portion 4 which is raised and substantially thicker than the remainder of the plank 1, and is preferably approximately twice the thickness of the remainder of the plank. The cladding plank 1 is fixed to the batten 3, or wall 2 as the case may be, by means of nails 5 or similar fixing elements, passing through the securing portion 4. The provision of a relatively thick securing portion 4 is particularly advantageous when the plank is formed of a relatively soft material such as cellular foam. The outer side of the securing portion 4 is provided with a rib 6 that extends the length of the cladding plank 1. The other edge of the cladding plank 1 is provided with an interlocking portion 7 that is adapted to overly and interlock with the securing portion 4′ of an adjacent plank 1′. The interlocking portion 7 is defined by two flanges 8,9 which extend for the length of the plank 1 and which are formed on the underside of the plank 1, that is to say they are directed towards the wall 2 in use. As can be seen from Fig. 1 the securing portion 4′ is received between this pair of flanges. One of the flanges, 8, is substantially L-shaped in cross-section and defines a recess 10 that is complementary to and adapted to receive the rib 6′ of the underlying plank 1′. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the other of the two flanges, 9, is provided at the edge of the plank 1 and is spaced from the securing portion 4′ of the underlying plank so that an anti-capillary channel 11 is defined there-between. It will be appreciated that were the flange 9 to be formed so as to fit closely against the securing portion 4′, there would be formed a series of very narrow channels between the two portions extending along the interlock between two planks and along which water may be drawn by capillary action. By providing an anti-capillary channel 11 of relatively large cross-section such capillary action is prevented. Thus the interlock protects the nails 5 from rain not only directly, by virtue of the interlocking portion overlying the securing portion, but also indirectly since water cannot be drawn along the interlock by capillary action. This interlock design also has the advantage that a better line may be achieved between interlocking planks, particularly when viewed from below, if the fixing nails have not been fully driven home. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is particularly suitable for a plank that is to be fixed to a wall horizontally, but the invention is equally applicable to vertical cladding members and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of such a vertical cladding member. In Fig. 2 the same reference numerals have been used to refer to the same elements as in Fig. 1, and the corresponding description applies to Fig. 2 as well as to Fig. 1.

Claims: A cladding member (1) for engagement with like members in an overlapping fashion, the member having an outer side and inner side, a longitudinally extending fixing region adjacent one edge for receiving fixing means (5) to secure the cladding member to a surface (3), a longitudinally extending securing portion (4,6) adjacent said one edge, projecting from the outer side of the member, a first longitudinally extending flange (8) adjacent the other edge of the member, projecting from the inner side of the member, the first flange (8) being adapted to engage the securing portion (4) of a like member, and a second longitudinally extending flange (9) adjacent said other edge of the member, projecting from the inner side of the member, there being a channel defined between the two flanges (8,9), and the arrangement being such that the fixing region and the securing portion (4,6) will be covered by the like member, characterised in that the second flange (9) is arranged to extend to adjacent the outer side of a like member, is disposed outwardly of the first flange (8), and is arranged to be disposed outwardly of the fixing region of the like member; and in that the channel is arranged to provide an anti-capillary channel (11) between the second flange (9) of the member and the region of engagement of the first flange (8) with the securing portion (4,6) of the like member. A cladding member as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the securing portion (4,6) defines said one edge of the member. A cladding member as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the second flange (9) defines said other edge of the member (1). A cladding member as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that the first flange (8) projects from the inner side of the member and has an engaging portion projecting towards the second flange (9), and the securing portion (4,6) projects from the outer side of the member and has an engaging portion (6) projecting away from the fixing region, adapted to engage the engaging portion of the first flange (8) of a like member. A cladding member as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the engaging portions of the first flange (8) and second flange (9) comprise interlocking ribs. A cladding member as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the securing portion (4,6) and the fixing region are provided in an area of the member which is recessed with respect to the outer side of the member. A cladding member as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the fixing region is disposed inwardly of the outer edge of the securing portion (4,6). A cladding member as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the fixing region is a portion of increased thickness. A cladding member as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the securing portion (4,6) is a raised portion. A cladding member as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the securing portion (4,6) is a portion of increased thickness and the fixing region is disposed in the securing portion.

Inventors: QUINNELL, GEOFFREY CHARLES
Applicants: MARLEY TILE AG
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E04F13
IPC codes: E04F13