Patent Description:
At present, ventilated facade systems are known and are increasingly common in the construction sector, being a construction system that leaves a ventilated chamber between the outer wall of a building and the cladding plates, such that the constant circulation of air is enabled whereby excellent thermal behaviour is achieved and humidity is avoided. An example of this type of ventilated facade construction system is disclosed in patent document <CIT>.

Ventilated facades can be made of a variety of materials such as metal, wood or natural slate enclosures; however, given their thermal properties, the use of ceramic plates with greater resistance and durability is the most common. Generally, ventilated facades consist of a metal support structure on which the cladding plates are removably installed, which facilitates the mounting and maintenance thereof in the event that a plate has to be replaced due to deterioration or breakage.

The support structure is anchored to the wall by means of an anchoring device consisting of a bracket, generally an L- or U-shaped folded sheet metal iron fitting. The anchoring device and the support structure support the cladding plates, making it possible to mount the cladding plates on the support structure with an adequate orientation and positioning, both in the plane parallel to the wall, i.e., vertically or horizontally, and perpendicular thereto, i.e., separately from the wall.

The bracket of the support structure is fixed to the wall by means of a screw and a washer. In the fixing position, the washer is pressed by the screw against the opposite surface to the surface facing the wall of the bracket, a thermal insulation element made of a thermal insulating material being arranged between the wall and the facing surface of the bracket. The thermal insulation element acts as a thermal bridge, reducing the thermal conductivity at the anchoring points between the cladding plates and the wall.

Known ventilated facade mounting systems wherein the cladding plates are fixed to the wall by means of a screw and a washer have the drawback of being difficult to mount as a result of the operator having to hold both the bracket and the washer at the same time, as well as the thermal insulation element, for proper placement and alignment thereof in the fixing position.

Ventilated facades require maintenance to check that the cladding plates or structural elements are in perfect condition, dismounting the cladding plates or the support structure being required to repair or replacement them. In this sense, the difficulty of mounting present in known ventilated facade systems also makes maintenance difficult.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermal insulation element, an anchoring device and a ventilated facade that enable simplified mounting and maintenance.

An example of support structure can be found in <CIT>.

With the indicated purpose, in addition to providing additional advantages that can be derived later, the present invention provides an anchoring device for anchoring cladding plates to a wall for a ventilated facade according to claim <NUM>.

The anchoring device is of the type comprising a bracket, which is fixable by means of a screw to the wall through a surface facing the wall of the bracket, and a washer for fixing by means of the screw of the bracket, the washer being pressed by the screw against an opposite surface to the surface facing the wall of the bracket in a fixing position of the bracket.

According to the invention, the thermal insulation element comprises a thermal insulation section to thermally insulate the wall from the bracket, the thermal insulation section being interposed between the wall and the facing surface in the fixing position. The thermal insulation element comprises a washer retaining section which extends above the opposite surface and in which the washer can be fitted to be retained in the fixing position.

In this way, it is possible to position the washer together with the thermal insulation element and the bracket in a predetermined position for fixing by means of the screw, without requiring the operator to adjust the same for its correct alignment in the fixing position in the process of fixing the anchoring device to the wall. Thus, for fixing, the operator is only required to hold the bracket provided with the insulation element and the washer fitted therein with one hand, having the other hand to tighten the screw fixing the anchoring device against the wall. Consequently, adequate mounting or dismounting, as well as maintenance of the installation, is greatly simplified.

At least the thermal insulation section of the thermal insulation element, or even the entire thermal insulation element, is made of a thermally insulating material. In a manner known per se, a polymer, for example PVC, can be used as the thermally insulating material. Conveniently, the thermal insulation section may be in the shape of a sheet or pad which extends over the facing surface of the bracket with an adequate thickness for thermal insulation. Preferably, the thermal insulation section makes contact with the facing surface of the bracket in the fixing position.

In the context of the present invention, the bracket is a structural element or portion of a structure that is adequate for supporting the cladding plates of the ventilated facade when it is anchored to the wall. Conveniently, the bracket is metallic, for example, made of steel or aluminium, and is in the shape of folded sheet metal, for example, L-shaped or U-shaped. In particular, the bracket may be an iron fitting or a set square.

The washer enables the tightening force of the screw to be distributed on the bracket during fixing, as well as reducing the risk that the screwed attachment may loosen and compensate for possible misalignment failures. The washer may be metallic, for example, made of steel or aluminium. Conveniently, the washer makes contact with the opposite surface of the bracket in the fixing position, preferably without the washer retaining section being interposed between the screw head and the washer in the fixing position.

Non-limiting exemplary embodiments according to the invention are described below with reference to the figures.

<FIG> shows the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) already mounted in the anchoring device (<NUM>), intended for anchoring cladding plates for a ventilated facade (not shown) to a wall, in the fixing position of the anchoring device (<NUM>). <FIG> shows the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) not mounted.

The anchoring device (<NUM>) comprises a bracket (<NUM>) in the shape of an L-shaped folded sheet metal, the L sides of which make up, respectively, a portion for fixing to the wall (<NUM>) and a portion for fixing to the support structure (<NUM>). The bracket (<NUM>) is fixed to the wall by means of a screwed attachment, with a screw (<NUM>) and plug (<NUM>), through the surface (<NUM>) facing the wall of the bracket (<NUM>). The bracket (<NUM>) is also fixed to the support structure by means of a screwed attachment through longitudinal fixing holes (<NUM>). The cladding plate support structure (not shown) can be formed by vertical supports and stringers, for example, in the form of profiles or rails, to which the cladding plates that make up the ventilated facade are coupled.

The anchoring device (<NUM>) additionally comprises a washer (<NUM>) for fixing the bracket (<NUM>) by means of the screw (<NUM>), the washer (<NUM>) being pressed by the screw (<NUM>) against the opposite surface (<NUM>), to the surface (<NUM>) facing the wall, of the bracket (<NUM>) in the fixing position. For fixation, the screw (<NUM>) passes through respective longitudinal holes of the washer (<NUM>), of the bracket (<NUM>) and of the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) aligned with each other in the fixing position.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) comprises a thermal insulation section (<NUM>) to thermally insulate the wall from the bracket (<NUM>) in the shape of a sheet made of thermally insulating material, which is interposed between the wall and the facing surface (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) in the fixing position. The thermal insulation element (<NUM>) additionally comprises a washer retaining section (<NUM>) which extends above the opposite surface (<NUM>) in the fixing position and in which the washer (<NUM>) can be fitted to be retained in the same fixing position.

The washer retaining section (<NUM>) is integrated with the thermal insulation section (<NUM>), i.e., they form a single part of the thermal insulation element (<NUM>). However, according to the present invention, it is also provided that said sections (<NUM>), (<NUM>) can be attached together by other means, for example, by means of adhesive, clipping, etc. Likewise, according to the invention, it is also envisaged, in particular, that the thermal insulation section (<NUM>) can be attached to the bracket (<NUM>), for example, using adhesive.

Both the washer (<NUM>) and the bracket (<NUM>), on their portion for fixing to the wall (<NUM>), can be fitted in the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) until they are positioned in the fixing position. For this, the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) comprises a housing for fitting (<NUM>) in which the bracket (<NUM>) and the washer (<NUM>) can be fitted, being inserted through a lateral groove (<NUM>) of the thermal insulation element (<NUM>). When the bracket (<NUM>) is fitted in the thermal insulation element (<NUM>), in addition to the washer (<NUM>), it is possible to provide greater rigidity in the anchoring of the support structure to the wall and, therefore, an improved behaviour of the ventilated facade regarding resistance to wind loads or vibrations.

It is envisaged that the washer retaining section (<NUM>) extends outwardly embracing the bracket (<NUM>) in the fixing position, above the opposite surface of the bracket (<NUM>). As can be seen in the figures, the housing for fitting (<NUM>) is laterally bordered by the washer retaining section (<NUM>) of the thermal insulation element (<NUM>), said washer retaining section (<NUM>) being provided with a front portion, opposite the lateral groove (<NUM>), and respective lateral portions, between which portions the washer (<NUM>) and the bracket (<NUM>) are fitted in the fixing position. The front portion acts as a stop when the bracket (<NUM>) is inserted into the housing for fitting (<NUM>), thus facilitating the coupling of the anchoring device (<NUM>).

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the housing for fitting (<NUM>), as well as the corresponding lateral groove (<NUM>), is common to the washer (<NUM>) and to the bracket (<NUM>). In other exemplary embodiments, both housings could be isolated or there could be a single housing for the washer (<NUM>) or for the bracket (<NUM>).

It has been provided that the housing for fitting (<NUM>) the washer (<NUM>) has a narrowing in the direction of insertion of the washer (<NUM>) through the lateral groove (<NUM>), in correspondence with a narrowing of the washer (<NUM>) suitable to fit the washer (<NUM>) in said housing for fitting (<NUM>). As can be seen especially in <FIG>, the washer (<NUM>) has a substantially triangular plan shape or with a smaller width in an attack zone (<NUM>) than in an exit zone (<NUM>), in the direction of insertion of the washer (<NUM>) in the housing for fitting (<NUM>) the thermal insulation element (<NUM>). In this way, the insertion of the washer (<NUM>) in the housing for fitting (<NUM>) is facilitated for mounting thereof.

The bracket (<NUM>) is inserted into the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) through the lateral groove (<NUM>) by the edge distal to the elbow (<NUM>) of the wall fixing portion (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>). This makes it possible that, in the fixing position, the washer (<NUM>) and/or the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) make lateral contact with the bracket (<NUM>) at the bracket elbow (<NUM>). In this way, a better retention of the washer (<NUM>) is facilitated, as its exit from the housing for fitting (<NUM>) is blocked.

In the exemplary embodiment of the washer (<NUM>) shown in the figures, the washer (<NUM>) is made of shaped sheet metal with a folded edge (<NUM>). The washer (<NUM>) is provided to contact the opposite surface (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) in the fixing position by means of said folded edge (<NUM>). This configuration of the washer (<NUM>) with a folded edge (<NUM>), in particular, forming a bowl, makes it possible to provide a distribution of tightening stresses on the opposite surface (<NUM>) in a concentrated manner far from the point of application of the fixing strength of the screw. This improves the rigidity of the fixation in the anchoring.

As also shown in the figures, in a preferred embodiment, a diametrical width of the washer (<NUM>), in particular in contact with the opposite surface (<NUM>) of the bracket in the fixing position, extends to more than half of the corresponding diametrical width of the bracket (<NUM>) available for contact by the washer (<NUM>), preferably to substantially the entire corresponding diametrical width of the bracket (<NUM>). The greater the width or diametral distance from the application of the fixing strength, the greater the rigidity of the fixing in the anchoring.

It has been provided that the bracket (<NUM>) comprises projections (<NUM>) or lugs. These projections (<NUM>) can be configured as retaining projections, to block the movement of the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) with respect to the bracket (<NUM>) in the fixing position, as shown in the figures for the two projections (<NUM>) arranged further away from the elbow (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>). It is also envisaged that the projections (<NUM>) can be configured as a poka-yoke, to indicate to the operator the correct positioning of the washer (<NUM>) with respect to the bracket (<NUM>) in the fixing position, as shown in the figures for the two projections (<NUM>) arranged closest to the elbow (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>). Thus, for example, these projections (<NUM>) closest to the elbow (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) in the correct position must remain within the gap defined between the folded edge (<NUM>) of the washer (<NUM>), i.e., inside the bowl that they form, since positioning the washer (<NUM>) upside down prevents the bracket (<NUM>) from being inserted into the housing for fitting (<NUM>) the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) through the groove (<NUM>) thereof.

In general, it is also provided that the bracket (<NUM>) and/or the washer (<NUM>) can be fitted in the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) using elastic adjustment. For example, as can be seen in the figures, the projections (<NUM>) arranged furthest from the elbow (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) provide said elastic adjustment when inserting the bracket (<NUM>) until said projections (<NUM>) are retained in respective housings of the corners of the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) in the fixing position.

Likewise, it has been foreseen that for the configuration of the washer (<NUM>) made of shaped sheet metal with a folded edge (<NUM>), which makes contact with the opposite surface (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) in the fixing position, as shown in <FIG>, the washer (<NUM>) can have recesses (<NUM>) arranged facing each other on respective sides of the folded edge (<NUM>).

Through the recesses (<NUM>) the folded edge (<NUM>) is prevented from making contact with the opposite surface (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>). The folded edge (<NUM>) makes contact with the opposite surface laterally to the recesses (<NUM>), the folded edge (<NUM>) remaining in the area of each recess (<NUM>) distanced from the opposite surface (<NUM>). In this way, the bending of the washer (<NUM>) is enabled when it is pressed by the screw (<NUM>) in the fixing position.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the recesses (<NUM>) are preferably arranged on respective sides facing a plane of symmetry of the washer (<NUM>). The bending of the washer (<NUM>) occurs about an imaginary axis that crosses both recesses (<NUM>).

This bending of the washer (<NUM>) occurs with elasticity, which enables a more secure fixation of the screw (<NUM>) due to the pressure exerted by the washer (<NUM>) on the screw head (<NUM>) when it is pressed by the same in the fixing position. Likewise, the bending makes it possible for the washer (<NUM>) to collapse, instead of causing the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) to break.

Claim 1:
An anchoring device (<NUM>) for anchoring cladding plates to a wall for ventilated facade, the anchoring device (<NUM>) comprising:
a thermal insulation element (<NUM>),
a bracket (<NUM>) that is fixable by means of a screw (<NUM>) to the wall through a surface (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) facing the wall, and
a washer (<NUM>) for fixing the bracket (<NUM>) by means of the screw (<NUM>), the washer (<NUM>) being pressed by the screw (<NUM>) against an opposite surface (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) which is opposite to the surface (<NUM>) facing the wall, in a fixing position of the bracket (<NUM>),
the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) comprising:
a thermal insulation section (<NUM>) to thermally insulate the wall from the bracket (<NUM>), the thermal insulation section (<NUM>) being interposed between the wall and the facing surface (<NUM>) in the fixing position, and
a washer retaining section (<NUM>) which extends above the opposite surface (<NUM>) and in which the washer (<NUM>) can be fitted to be retained in the fixing position,
wherein the thermal insulation element (<NUM>) comprises:
a housing for fitting (<NUM>) in which the bracket (<NUM>) and the washer (<NUM>) is adapted to be fitted, and
a lateral groove (<NUM>) through which the bracket (<NUM>) and the washer (<NUM>) is adapted to be inserted in the housing for fitting (<NUM>),
characterized in that the housing for fitting (<NUM>) has a narrowing in the direction of insertion of the washer (<NUM>) through the lateral groove (<NUM>) in correspondence with a narrowing of the washer (<NUM>) to fit the washer (<NUM>) in the housing for fitting (<NUM>).