CLIP FOR MOUNTING CLADDING ON A STRUCTURAL MEMBER

Abstract: A clip (18) for mounting cladding (16) on a structural member, such as an RSJ (10) includes a pair of arms (24) for embracing a flange (14) of the RSJ (10) and a portion which is able to receive a support member (22) such that the cladding (16) may be attached to the support member (22) in order to mount the cladding (16) on the RSJ (10).

Description: Clip for mountii-p; cladding on a structural member The invention relates to a clip for mounting cladding on a structural member, particularly for mounting fireproof or decorative cladding on a beam of the rolled steel joist (RSJ) type. RSJs are commonly used as structural elements in buildings, to form beams, lintels and columns. RSJs typically comprise an T section elongate member of steel. RSJs are generally encased in decorative or non combustible cladding material. There are several different conventional methods for affixing such cladding material to the RSJ, as follows. According to one method, timber 'soldiers' are cut to an appropriate size and wedged between the top and bottom flanges of the RSJ. The cladding material may then be affixed to the timber soldiers. However, these blocks of wood have a tendency to become loose and are susceptible to movement. They are also not fireproof. According to an alternative method, steel angled material or timber blocks may be drilled and plugged to concrete structures, usually adjacent to the RSJ. This is time consuming and may not be possible due to the positioning of the RSJ. A further method involves the use of cartridge fired nails which are shot into the RSJ. These do not always produce an effective and successful fixing, and in some circumstances can even weaken the RSJ. This method may also be dangerous to the operator. In addition to the above mentioned disadvantages, all of the above methods must be carried out by skilled tradespeople in order to produce an effective result. According to the invention, there is provided a clip for mounting cladding on a structural member, the clip including: means for embracing a portion of the structural member; and means for receiving a support member, such that the cladding may be attached to the support member, thereby to mount the cladding on the structural member. Preferably the clip is of sheet metal. Preferably the receiving means are shaped to receive an elongate support member comprising two elongate elements angled at about 90" to one another. Preferably the receiving means includes first and second parts angled at about 90° to one another, for receiving the support member. The receiving means may include means for embracing an edge of the support member. The means for embracing an edge of the support member may be provided on the first part of the receiving means, remote from the second part. The means for embracing an edge of the support member may include a lug, protruding from a body portion of the clip. The lug is preferably angled at between 25° - 40° to the body portion. Preferably the embracing means includes a plurality of lugs. The receiving means may include a lip for receiving an edge of the support member. Preferably the lip is provided on the second part of the receiving means, remote from the first part. The lip may comprise a bent end of the second part, angled at between 80" - 90" to the second part. The means for embracing the structural member may include a pair of arms. A first outer arm may be substantially planar and a second inner arm may include a proximal portion which is angled towards the first arm, and a distal portion which is parallel to or angled away from the first arm. Differently angled portions of the arm may meet to form ridges directed towards the portion of the structural member in use. The arms may be sufficiently resilient to provide a gripping force, when the arms embrace the portion of the structural member. Preferably the arms are shaped and sized to embrace a flange portion of an I-beam rolled steel joist. Preferably the clip comprises a single cut and bent piece of sheet material, preferably sheet metal material. The material may be mild steel, hardened steel, spring steel or stainless steel for example. According to the invention there is also provided apparatus for mounting cladding on a structural member, the apparatus comprising a clip according to any of the preceding definitions and a support member receivable within the clip. The invention will now be described for the purposes of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the clip according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the clip of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic cross section, showing the use of the clip of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the use of the clip of Fig. i; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross section showing the use of a number of clips according to the invention, to encase a rolled steel joist. Referring to the Figures, a rolled steel joist (RSJ) 10 consists of an elongate steel I-beam, comprising a central strut 12 and upper and lower flanges 14. The RSJ is surrounded by fireproof cladding material 16 which is mounted on the RSJ by means of clips 18, according to the invention. The clips 18 are affixed to edges 20 of the flanges 14 of the RSJ. The clips 18 engage and retain elongate angled cross members 22, each cross member comprising two elongate portions at right angles to one another. The cladding material 16 is attached to the angled cross members 22 to surround the RSJ as shown in Fig. 5. The clips 18 are each made from a single piece of sheet metal material, which may be stainless steel. Each clip 18 includes a pair of arms 24 for embracing and engaging the edge 20 of the flange 14 of the RSJ. An outer arm 24A is substantially planar, but includes an outwardly directed portion 26A at its distal end. An inner arm 24B is profiled such that it includes ridges 28 (see Fig. 1), which are directed towards the flange 14 of the RSJ in use. The inner arm 24B also includes a portion 26B at its distal end, the portion 26B being directed away from the flange 14 of the RSJ 10 in use. Located approximately at right angles to the arms 24 is a first element 30 of a retaining member for receiving and retaining a cross member 22. A second element 32 of the retaining member is located substantially at right angles to the first element 30, approximately parallel to the arms 24. A central portion of the piece of sheet metal forming the first element 30 is bent through approximately 90° to form the inner arm 24B. The first element 30 therefore is of approximately rectangular shape, with a central rectangular opening. Two lugs 34 arc formed in the first element 30, one at each outer edge, approximately level with the top of the rectangular opening as viewed in Figs. 1 - 4. The lugs 34 are made by forming a cut 36 in the sheet metal. The lugs are bent to project inwardly away from the plane of the first element 30, at an angle of approximately 30° to the first element 30. The second element 32 of the retaining member joins the first element 30 at a rounded corner 35. At the far end of the second element 32 from this corner 35 is a lip 36, formed from a bent end of the second element 32. The lip is substantially 'S' shaped, comprising a portion 38 bent at an angle of approximately 80° to the planar part of the second member, and an upper rounded portion 40. In use, a cross member 22 is fitted into the corner formed by the first and second elements 30 and 32 of the retaining member. A first edge 42 of the cross member 22 is slotted between the lugs 34 and the planar part of the first element 30. A second edge 44 of the cross member 22 is snapped past the rounded portion 40 of the lip 36, to be retained in place by the lip 36. The lugs 34 and lip 36 thus retain the cross member 22 in place adjacent the first and second elements of the retaining member. The clip 28 may then be affixed to a flange 14 of an RSJ 10. The clip 18 is pushed onto the flange 14 such that its arms 24A and 24B embrace the flange 14. The outwardly directed portions 26A and 26B of the arms ease the insertion of the flange 14 between these two arms. The ridged portions 28 of the inner arm 24B engage the flange 14 and tend to hold the arms in place on the flange 14. A number of clips 18 may be fitted along an elongate cross member 22, spaced apart at regular intervals. Subsequently the clips 1 8 may be fitted onto an RSJ, to support the cross member on the RSJ. Fig. 5 shows an RSJ provided with cross members 22 at each of its four flange edges 20. Fireproof cladding material 16 is subsequently affixed to the cross members 22, with screws 46, in order to fully clad the RSJ 10. There is thus provided a clip which allows cladding material to be affixed to an RSJ quickly and easily and without the need for any specialist equipment, or protective measures. The clips are easily removed when alteration is required and may be reused. The clips may be made in a range of different sizes to suit different RSJs. A cross member located within a clip is able to expand and contract lengthways within the clip. This prevents bulging of the cladding material if the cross member (usually metallic) expands due to heat, and so increases the protective properties of the whole structure. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims: Claims: 1. A clip (18) for mounting cladding (16) on a structural member (10), the clip including: means (24) for embracing a portion (14) of the structural member ( 10); and means (30, 32) for receiving a support member (22), such that the cladding (16) may be attached to the support member (22) thereby to mount the cladding (76) on the structural member (10). 2. A clip (18) according to Claim 1, wherein the clip is of sheet metal. 3. A clip (18) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the receiving means (30, 32) are shaped to receive an elongate support member (22) comprising two elongate elements angled at about 90° to one another. 4. A clip ( 18) according to Claim 3 wherein the receiving means includes first (30) and second (32) parts angled at about 90° to one another, for receiving the support member (22). 5. A clip ( 18) according to any preceding Claim, wherein the receiving means (30, 32) includes means (34) for embracing an edge of the support member. 6. A clip (18) according to Claim 5 when appended to Claim 4, wherein the means (34) for embracing an edge of the support member (22) is provided on the first part (30) of the receiving means, remote from the second part (32). 7. A clip (18) according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the means (34) for embracing an edge of the support member (22) includes a lug (34), protruding from a body portion of the clip. 8. A clip (18) according to Claim 7, wherein the lug (34) is angled at between 25° to 40° to the body portion. 9. A clip (18) according to any of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the embracing means includes a plurality of lugs (34). 10. A clip (18) according to any preceding Claim, wherein the receiving means includes a lip (36) for receiving an edge of the support member (22). 11. A clip (28) according to Claim 10 when appended to Claim 6, wherein the lip (36) is provided on the second part (32) of the receiving means, remote from the first part (30). 12. A clip (18) according to Claim 1 1, wherein the lip (36) comprises a bent end of the second part (32), angled at between 80" and 90" to the second part. 13. A clip (18) according to any preceding Claim, wherein the means for embracing the structural member comprises a pair of arms (24). 14. A clip (18) according to Claim 13, wherein a first outer arm (24A) is substantially planar and a second inner arm (24B) includes a proximal portion which is angled towards the first arm and a distal portion which is substantially parallel to or angled away from the first arm. 15. A clip ( 18) according to Claim 13, wherein the arms (24) are sufficiently resilient to provide a gripping force, when the arms embrace the portion of the structural member. 16. A clip (18) according to Claim 15, wherein the arms (24) are shaped and sized to embrace a flange portion (14) of an I-beam rolled steel joist. 17. A clip (18) according to any preceding claim, wherein the clip comprises a single cut and bent piece of sheet material. 18. Apparatus for mounting cladding on a structural member, the apparatus comprising a clip (18) according to any preceding Claim and a support member receivable within the clip. 19. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

Inventors: MARRIOTT DAVID, MARRIOTT, DAVID
Applicants: MARRIOTT DAVID, MARRIOTT, DAVID
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1