Patent Description:
To this end, advantageously, the attachment element in question is designed to fix cladding elements (such as panels, boards, slats, strips) to a support structure of the wall so as to obtain an outer cladding of the latter.

Generally, the attachment element in question relates to the field of production of fixing systems (in particular structural steelwork components) for making claddings using panels made of any material (such as wood, synthetic material, WPC, metal material, etc.).

In the building industry, it is known to apply - on the walls of houses or buildings in general - outer claddings (known in the technical j argon of the industry as "wall cladding" or "siding"), for various purposes for example protection, decorative, insulation purposes, etc..

In particular, the typical structure of a panel cladding comprises a load-bearing sub-structure consisting of a framework made of various materials (such as wood, metal, synthetic material) designed to be anchored to the wall to be clad. On such load-bearing sub-structure, several covering panels are fixed which are arranged adjacent to each other, which form the cladding of the facade.

The covering panels are fixed using attachment systems which hold each panel rigidly fixed to the load-bearing sub-structure.

Attachment systems are known which provide for simply arranging the panels resting on the load-bearing sub-structure and fixing them using screws or nails which transversely pass through the panels up to being engaged in the load-bearing sub-structure. Although simple from a construction standpoint and despite allowing to easily remove each single panel, the latter system of the known type can be used in limited applications (substantially solely for wooden panels) and it has the further advantage of subjecting the panels to greater stresses and having to apply - on the panels - screws or nails which remain exposed therefore deteriorating the aesthetic appearance of the cladding.

With the aim of at least partly overcoming such drawbacks, hooking systems - which provide for anchoring the panels to the load-bearing sub-structure using hooked plates which engage special longitudinal grooves obtained in the thickness of the flanks of the panels - have been introduced on the market.

A first type of these hooking systems (whose example is described in the patent <CIT>) comprises several substantially C-shaped plates. Each plate comprises a flat central portion, which is designed to rest against the sub-structure and on which a through hole is made, which is traversed by a screw for fixing the plate to the sub-structure. Furthermore, each plate comprises a first and a second wing, which extend like a shelf starting from the ends of the flat central portion and from each of which there extends a retention pin designed to be engaged in the longitudinal grooves of two corresponding adjacent sides of two adjacent panels.

The main drawback of this solution of the known type lies in the fact that it is not possible to remove a single panel without also removing the adjacent one given that each shaped plate holds the sides of two distinct panels.

With the aim of at least partly overcoming such drawback, attachment systems - in which the decorative panels are individually fixed to one or more corresponding attachment elements, therefore without any fixing constraint between two adjacent panels - have been introduced on the market.

In greater detail, this type of fixing system (whose three examples are described in patent application n° <CIT>, in patent n° <CIT> and in patent application n° <CIT> ) comprises several attachment elements, each of which comprise a substantially flat main body.

In greater detail, the main body is provided, on the front side thereof, with a resting surface designed to receive the panel to be installed and it is designed to be fixed, on the rear side thereof, to the sub-structure through appropriate fixing means, for example screws or rivets.

Furthermore, the fixing device comprises several retention pins, which extend protruding from the resting surface of the main body, which are designed to be snap-engaged in corresponding longitudinal grooves obtained in the panel so as to fix it to the sub-structure.

In particular, the grooves of the panel are specifically shaped with an intermediate constriction which defines an inner undercut for engaging the retention pins. To this end, the latter can be elastically deformed, so that, when they are inserted into the grooves, they can be compressed when they pass through the constriction of the groove and, upon overcoming such constriction, they widen due to elastic return being engaged in the inner undercut.

A first drawback of such attachment elements of the known type lies in the fact that, in case of installation of covering panels for the inner or outer wall of a building, the weight of the single panel must be fully supported by the retention pins. However, given that such fixing devices, and therefore the retention pins, are made of elastic material, the latter can easily deteriorate over time, jeopardising the structural wholeness of the facade in the long term.

A further drawback of such attachment elements lies in the fact that the panels must be provided with specific grooves shaped to be snap-coupled to the retention pins of the attachment elements. Therefore, the processing to obtain the longitudinal groove is more complex, resulting in an increase of production times and costs.

Furthermore, patent application <CIT> discloses a fixing system comprising an attachment element according to the preamble of claim <NUM> with a C-shaped cross-section and provided with a flat central portion designed to be indirectly fixed to the sub-structure by means of a retention clip. Furthermore, the attachment element comprises two lateral wings extending protruding from the central flat portion and from each of which there extends a retention appendage. The two retention appendages are designed to be arranged within corresponding longitudinal grooves of the panel formed on the flanks of the latter. In particular, in order to perform such coupling, the attachment element has to be inserted into the panel from one end of the latter by sliding it longitudinally along the panel.

The main drawback of this solution of the known type lies in the fact that installing the panel requires coupling - by sliding - the panel to the attachment element before fixing the latter to the wall and the attachment element can be fixed to the wall only subsequently requiring the use of an additional retention clip. Such solution of the known type is therefore complex to construct also requiring long times for installing and replacing the panels.

In this situation, the technical problem on which the present invention is based lies in overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art known to date, by providing a wall cladding attachment element, which is capable of safely and reliably supporting the cladding elements to be fixed to the wall.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wall cladding attachment element, which does not require using particular processes on the cladding elements. A further object of the present invention is to provide a wall cladding attachment element, that is constructively simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wall cladding attachment element, which is adapted to the engagement with cladding elements of different types and sizes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wall cladding attachment element, which allows to easily replace each single cladding element in particular without the need to remove the cladding elements arranged adjacent to each other. A further object of the present invention is to provide a wall cladding attachment element, which allows a quick and simple installation of the cladding elements.

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned objects, are clearly observable from the content of the claims outlined below and the advantages thereof will be more apparent from the detailed description that follows, provided with reference to the attached drawings, which represent an embodiment thereof provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:.

With reference to the attached drawings the wall cladding attachment element subject of the present invention has been indicated in its entirety with <NUM>.

The attachment element <NUM> in question is designed to be advantageously used for making claddings (for example, decorative, protective, thermal insulating, etc.) on vertical walls of buildings ("wall cladding" or "siding"), in particular for making facade claddings, both for indoor and outdoor environments.

To this end, the attachment element <NUM> subject of the present invention is designed to fix cladding elements <NUM> (such as panels, boards, slats, strips) to a wall <NUM> so as to obtain an outer cladding of the latter.

In greater detail, with reference to the example of <FIG>, the cladding element <NUM> (which can be made of various materials, such as wood, synthetic, WPC, etc.) extends linearly preferably with an elongated shape and advantageously constant cross-section, between two end portions along a longitudinal axis L, and it is provided with a rear lateral flank <NUM>, which is designed to be arranged facing towards the wall <NUM>, and a front lateral flank <NUM>, which is designed to remain exposed. Furthermore, the cladding element <NUM> is provided with a lower flank <NUM> and an opposite upper flank <NUM>, which extend along the longitudinal axis L and they are arranged to provide connection between the rear lateral flank <NUM> and the front lateral flank <NUM>.

Preferably, the rear lateral flank <NUM> is provided with a first groove <NUM>, which is defined by a first concave inner surface <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> and it is arranged between the lower flank <NUM> and the upper flank <NUM>. Furthermore, the lower flank <NUM> is provided with a second groove <NUM>, which is defined by a second concave inner surface <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> and it is arranged between the rear lateral flank <NUM> and the front lateral flank <NUM>. Advantageously, both the grooves <NUM>, <NUM> extend between the two end portions along the longitudinal axis L. The attachment element <NUM> in question comprises a main body <NUM>, which is designed to be fixed to the wall <NUM> and it is adapted to support the cladding element <NUM> of the type briefly described above.

In greater detail, the main body <NUM> comprises a first wing <NUM>, which is designed to be fixed to the wall <NUM>. Such first wing <NUM> is provided with a rear face <NUM>, which is designed to be faced toward the wall <NUM> preferably abutting against the latter, and with an opposite front face <NUM>, which is designed to be faced toward the rear lateral flank <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> preferably abutting against the latter.

In particular, in use, the attachment element <NUM> (and in particular its first wing <NUM>) can be directly fixed to a face of the wall <NUM> of the building, or, like in the example of <FIG>, it can be fixed to a support structure <NUM> in turn fixed to the face of the wall <NUM> of the building, so as to leave space, known in the technical jargon as interspace, between the face of the wall <NUM> and the cladding consisting of several cladding elements <NUM>, in order to allow air to flow through between the wall <NUM> and the cladding to reduce the likelihood of moisture forming at the wall <NUM>. Obviously, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the wall <NUM> may be both fully solid (for example made of a masonry or wooden structure) and partially open (for example defined by a wooden or metal framework).

According to the idea on which the present invention is based, the main body <NUM> comprises a second wing <NUM>, which extends like a shelf from the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> and it is provided with an upper face <NUM> which delimits, with the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM>, a positioning cavity <NUM>.

In greater detail, the positioning cavity <NUM> is designed to receive the cladding element <NUM> arranged with the rear lateral flank <NUM> thereof facing toward the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> and with the lower flank <NUM> thereof resting on the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> comprises a first retention member <NUM>, which extends protruding from the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> along a first extension direction X, is configured to be elastically deformed at least transversely to the above-mentioned first extension direction X, and it is adapted to be engaged in compression in the first groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>.

Furthermore, the main body <NUM> comprises a second retention member <NUM>, which extends protruding from the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM> along a second extension direction Y, is configured to be elastically deformed at least transversely to the above-mentioned second extension direction Y, and it is adapted to be engaged in compression in the second groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>. In this manner, the claimed configuration of the attachment element <NUM> enables its second wing <NUM> (which protrudes like a shelf from the first wing <NUM>) to support the weight of the cladding element <NUM>, while the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> (being compressed in the respective grooves <NUM>, <NUM>) develop, at least due to elastic reaction, on the relative inner surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>, forces which enable to retain the cladding element <NUM> constrained to the attachment element <NUM>, however without such retention members <NUM>, <NUM> having to bear the entire weight of the cladding element <NUM>.

Therefore, given that the weight of the cladding element <NUM> is mainly supported by the second wing <NUM>, the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> are not subjected to strong mechanical stresses due to the weight of the cladding element <NUM> and, therefore, they are not easily subjected to breakage that could make the cladding element <NUM> of the wall <NUM> of the building to fall.

In this manner, the attachment element <NUM> in question allows to safely and reliably support the cladding elements <NUM> without the risk of the latter detaching from the wall <NUM>.

Furthermore, advantageously, given that each retention member <NUM>, <NUM> of the attachment element <NUM> subject of the present invention is engaged to the corresponding groove <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> in compression, neither screws or rivets are required to fix the cladding element <NUM> to the attachment element <NUM>. In this manner, the installation of the cladding on the wall <NUM> is quicker, hence significantly reducing the installation costs.

Advantageously, the first wing <NUM> of the attachment element <NUM> is adapted to be fixed to the wall <NUM> using fixing means <NUM>, such as screws or nails. To this end, preferably, the first wing <NUM> is provided with one or more through holes <NUM> adapted to be engaged by the aforementioned fixing means <NUM>.

Advantageously, the aforementioned first retention member <NUM> and second retention member <NUM> extend within the positioning cavity <NUM> defined by the wings <NUM>, <NUM> of the attachment element <NUM>, so as to penetrate into the corresponding grooves <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> which occupies the positioning cavity <NUM>.

In particular, the aforementioned positioning cavity <NUM> is closed at the rear part and below, respectively, by the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> and by the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM>, while such positioning cavity <NUM> is open at the upper part and frontally to allow the insertion of the cladding element <NUM>.

Advantageously, the first retention member <NUM> comprises at least two first arms <NUM>, which extend, arranged adj acent to each other, along the first extension direction X, between respective first base ends <NUM>, which are joined to the first wing <NUM>, and respective first free ends <NUM> spaced apart from each other according to a direction transversal to the first extension direction X.

In greater detail, the first arms <NUM> of the first retention member <NUM> can be elastically deformed with mutual approaching at least of the respective first free ends <NUM>, so as to insert - into the first groove <NUM> - the first arms <NUM> compressed one towards the other which, due to elastic return, are adapted to act on the first inner surface <NUM> of the first groove <NUM>.

Preferably, in a manner similar to the first retention member <NUM>, the second retention member <NUM> comprises at least two second arms <NUM>, which extend, arranged adjacent to each other, along the second extension direction Y, between respective second base ends <NUM>, which are joined to the second wing <NUM>, and respective second free ends <NUM> spaced apart from each other according to a direction transversal to the second extension direction Y.

In greater detail, the second arms, <NUM> of the second retention member <NUM> can be elastically deformed with mutual approaching at least of the respective second free ends <NUM>, in order to insert - into the second groove <NUM> - the second arms <NUM> compressed one towards the other which, due to elastic return, are adapted to act on the second inner surface <NUM> of the second groove <NUM>.

In this manner, in particular, the arms <NUM>, <NUM> of the retention members <NUM>, <NUM>, in use, press abutting against the inner surface <NUM>, <NUM> of the relative groove <NUM>, <NUM>, generating friction forces which prevent the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> from slipping off from the respective grooves <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, the first extension direction X of the first retention member <NUM> and the second extension direction Y of the second retention member <NUM> are arranged with an inclination comprised between +<NUM>° and -<NUM>° respectively with respect to the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> and to the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM>, for example substantially orthogonal to the respective aforementioned face <NUM>, <NUM>. Advantageously, given that the engagement of the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> in the grooves <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> is given by the elastic reaction force generated by their configuration in compression (and in particular by the action described above of the respective arms <NUM>, <NUM>), there is no need for shaping the grooves <NUM>, <NUM> with specific profiles so as to guarantee the firm retention of the cladding element <NUM>.

For example, the first <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> extend along the longitudinal axis L with substantially constant and rectangular cross-section. In this manner, due to the simplicity of the shape of the aforementioned grooves <NUM>, <NUM> on the cladding element <NUM>, the operation of removing the material to obtain the grooves <NUM>, <NUM> is quicker and without the need for complex and specific tools, significantly reducing the costs for manufacturing the cladding element <NUM>.

In greater detail, with reference to the example of <FIG>, the first groove <NUM> is delimited by two first lateral surfaces 105a, which extend counter-faced with respect to each other by the rear lateral flank <NUM> towards the internal of the cladding element <NUM>, and a first end surface arranged to connect the two first lateral surfaces 105a. Furthermore, in a manner entirely similar to the first groove <NUM>, the second groove <NUM> is delimited by two second lateral surfaces 106a, which are counter-faced with respect to each other by the lower flank <NUM> towards the internal of the cladding element <NUM>, and a second end surface arranged to connect the two second lateral surfaces 106a.

Advantageously, the first arms <NUM> are adapted to act, due to elastic return, in compression against the first lateral surfaces 105a of the first groove <NUM> and the second arms <NUM> are adapted to act - due to elastic return - in compression against the second lateral surfaces 106a of the second groove <NUM>.

Preferably, the first arms <NUM> extend symmetrically with respect to the first extension direction X of the first retention member <NUM> and the second arms <NUM> extend symmetrically with respect to the second extension direction Y of the second retention member <NUM>.

Advantageously, the first arms <NUM> extend in a divergent fashion one with respect to the other from the corresponding first base ends <NUM> towards the corresponding first free ends <NUM>, which are arranged at a mutual distance greater than the mutual distance between the first base ends <NUM>.

Preferably, in a manner similar to the first arms <NUM>, the second arms <NUM> extend in a divergent fashion one with respect to the other from the corresponding second base ends <NUM> towards the corresponding second free ends <NUM>, which are arranged at a mutual distance greater than the mutual distance between the second base ends <NUM>. According to the embodiment shown in the attached figures, with the cladding element <NUM> not engaged to the attachment element <NUM>, the first free ends <NUM> of the first retention member <NUM> are arranged at a mutual distance greater than the width of the first groove <NUM> (measured with respect to a direction transversal to the first extension direction X and to the longitudinal axis L). Furthermore, preferably, the second free ends <NUM> of the second retention member <NUM> are arranged at a mutual distance greater than the width of the second measured groove <NUM> (with respect to a direction transversal to the second extension direction Y and to the longitudinal axis L).

In this manner, when the first arms <NUM> and the second arms <NUM> are arranged respectively within the first groove <NUM> and the second groove <NUM>, the first free ends <NUM> and the second free ends <NUM> are pushed mutually approaching respectively by the first lateral surfaces 105a of the first inner surface <NUM> of the first groove <NUM> and by the second lateral surfaces 106a of the second inner surface <NUM> of the second groove <NUM>.

Advantageously, each first arm <NUM> of the first retention member <NUM> comprises a first inner face <NUM> facing toward the first inner face <NUM> of the other corresponding first arm <NUM>, and an opposite first inner face <NUM>. In greater detail, each first arm <NUM> comprises at least one corresponding first tooth <NUM>, which extends protruding from the corresponding first outer face <NUM> and it is adapted to penetrate into the first inner surface <NUM> of the first groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>.

Preferably, in a manner similar to the first arms <NUM> of the first retention member <NUM>, each second arm <NUM> of the second retention member <NUM> comprises a second inner face <NUM> facing toward the second inner face <NUM> of the other corresponding second arm <NUM>, and an opposite second outer face <NUM>. In greater detail, each second arm <NUM> comprises at least one corresponding second tooth <NUM>, which extends protruding from the corresponding second outer face <NUM> and it is adapted to penetrate into the second inner surface <NUM> of the first groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>.

Advantageously, each first arm <NUM> comprises several corresponding first teeth <NUM> arranged in series between respective first base ends <NUM> and the respective first free end <NUM>. Furthermore, in an entirely similar manner, each second arm <NUM> comprises several corresponding second teeth <NUM> arranged in series between the respective second base end <NUM> and the respective second free end <NUM>.

Advantageously, with the first arms <NUM> arranged in the first groove <NUM>, each first tooth <NUM> - due to the compression force due to elastic return of the two first arms <NUM> - penetrates into the first inner surface <NUM> of the first groove <NUM>, and in particular in the corresponding first lateral surface 105a. Furthermore, in an entirely similar manner, with the second arms <NUM> arranged in the second groove <NUM>, each second tooth <NUM> -due to the compression force due to elastic return of the second arms <NUM> - penetrates into the second inner surface <NUM> of the second groove <NUM>, and in particular in the corresponding second lateral surface 106a.

In this manner, the first and the second teeth <NUM>, <NUM> substantially engage (by shape coupling) the respective retention members <NUM>, <NUM> to the inner surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective grooves <NUM>, <NUM> further preventing them from slipping off from the latter. Therefore, the first and the second teeth <NUM>, <NUM> contribute to holding the cladding element <NUM> in position in the positioning cavity <NUM> of the attachment element <NUM>, reducing the likelihood of the fixing between the cladding element <NUM> and the attachment element <NUM> deteriorating over time, for example due to harsh weather or normal temperature cycle across the seasons, increasing the service life of the cladding.

According to the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the main body <NUM> is made of a single body, that is in particular the first wing <NUM>, the second wing <NUM>, the aforementioned first retention member <NUM> and the aforementioned second retention member <NUM> are made of a single body.

In this manner, the construction complexity of the attachment element <NUM> is reduced significantly leading to a decrease in production and installation times and costs. Advantageously, the second wing <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is elastically foldable with respect to the first wing <NUM>, so that, in particular, the angle between the first wing <NUM> and the second wing <NUM> can change following the elastic deformation at least of the second wing <NUM>.

As addressed hereinafter, such characteristic particularly facilitates the assembly and the possible subsequent disassembly of the cladding element <NUM> from the attachment element <NUM>.

As a matter of fact, in particular, during the step for installing the cladding element <NUM> the angle between the two wings <NUM>, <NUM> can be widened for example by bending the second wing <NUM>, to insert the cladding element <NUM> into the positioning cavity <NUM> from the open front and/or upper side of the latter. Following the coupling of the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> in the respective grooves <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>, the main body <NUM> resumes, due to elastic return, substantially the initial angle between the first wing <NUM> and the second wing <NUM>, for example following the elastic return of the latter.

Similarly, in order to disassemble the cladding element <NUM> from the attachment element <NUM>, it suffices to bend - for example - the second wing <NUM> to disengage the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> in the respective grooves <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>, therefore being able to remove the latter by substantially pulling forward, without the need to remove the adjacent cladding elements <NUM>.

In particular, the main body <NUM> (and specifically its first and second wing <NUM>, <NUM>) is made of elastically deformable material.

Advantageously, the main body <NUM>, the aforementioned retention member <NUM> and the aforementioned second retention member <NUM> are made of a plastic material, or metal material.

The main body <NUM> is substantially L-shaped. In particular, the first wing <NUM> extends between an upper edge (free), and an opposite lower edge, and the second wing <NUM> extends between a rear edge, which is joined to the lower edge of the first wing <NUM>, and an opposite front edge (free). Advantageously, the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> and the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM> define - among others - in the positioning cavity <NUM>, an angle substantially comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably substantially between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

In particular, the aforementioned L-shape with the claimed configuration of the aforementioned retention members <NUM>,<NUM> allows to frontally apply the cladding element <NUM> to the attachment elements <NUM> after the latter have already been fixed to the wall <NUM>, as described in detail hereinafter. Furthermore, the cladding element <NUM> can be removed from the front side of the attachment elements <NUM> without the need to remove the adjacent cladding elements <NUM> and, furthermore, without the need to remove the attachment elements <NUM> from the wall <NUM>.

Suitably, the first and the second wing <NUM>, <NUM> are plate-shaped, in particular with their respective substantially flat front <NUM> and upper face <NUM>.

Advantageously, the second wing <NUM> is inclined with respect to the first wing <NUM> by an angle substantially comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>° (in detail such angle being defined between the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> and the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM>).

Advantageously, the main body <NUM> (and the relative first and second wing <NUM>, <NUM>) extends between two opposite ends along a third extension direction Z which, in use, is designed to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cladding element <NUM>.

Preferably, the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> extend, in particular continuously, from one end to the other of the main body <NUM>.

Forming an object of the present invention is also a wall cladding, obtained using the attachment elements <NUM> and the cladding elements <NUM> of the type described above, whose references will be maintained hereinafter.

In greater detail, the aforementioned cladding comprises several cladding elements <NUM> and several attachment elements <NUM>, which are designed to be fixed to the wall <NUM> to be clad and they support the corresponding cladding elements <NUM>.

In particular, each cladding element <NUM> is supported by several (at least two) attachment elements <NUM> arranged spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis L of the cladding element <NUM>, preferably at least in proximity of the end portions of the latter.

According to the invention, the attachment elements <NUM> are designed to be fixed to the wall <NUM> at the first wing <NUM> and they receive - resting thereon - the corresponding cladding element <NUM> in the positioning cavity <NUM>. In greater detail, the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> is faced toward the rear lateral flank <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> (preferably receiving in abutment such rear lateral flank <NUM>) and the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM> receives - resting thereon - the lower flank <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>.

The first retention member <NUM> of each attachment element <NUM> is inserted - elastically deformed in compression - into the first groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> and it acts abutting - due to elastic reaction - against the first inner surface <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>. Furthermore, in an entirely similar manner, the second retention member <NUM> of each cladding element <NUM> is inserted - elastically deformed in compression - into the second groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> and it acts abutting - due to elastic reaction - against the second inner surface <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>. This allows to retain - in a particularly firm manner - the cladding elements, as already described above.

Operatively, when installing the wall cladding <NUM> of a building, the attachment elements <NUM> are fixed to the wall <NUM> or to the support structure <NUM> using fixing means <NUM>. Subsequently, the cladding elements <NUM> are fixed to the corresponding attachment elements <NUM> using the first <NUM> and the second retention member <NUM>, which respectively engage the first <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> of the corresponding cladding element <NUM>.

To this end, in particular, the cladding element <NUM> is arranged so that the first groove <NUM> is in proximity of the first retention member <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> is in proximity of the second retention member <NUM>. Subsequently, the cladding element <NUM> is pushed towards the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> and towards the upper face <NUM> of the second wing <NUM> of each attachment element <NUM>, so that the first and the second retention members <NUM>, <NUM> penetrate respectively into the first groove <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>. Advantageously, during the installation step, the angle between the two wings <NUM>, <NUM> can be widened for example by bending the second wing <NUM>, to insert the cladding element <NUM> into the positioning cavity <NUM> from the open front and/or upper side of the latter.

In particular, the operator can push the rear side <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM> towards the front face <NUM> of the first wing <NUM> to insert the first retention member <NUM> into the first groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>. At the same time, the second wing <NUM> bends to allow the second retention member <NUM> to enter into the second groove <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>.

Following the coupling of the retention members <NUM>, <NUM> in the respective grooves <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>, the main body <NUM> resumes, due to elastic return, substantially the initial angle between the first wing <NUM> and the second wing <NUM>, for example following the elastic return of the latter.

Advantageously, in a usual application, the cladding elements <NUM> are installed arranged one adjacent to the other along a direction transverse to their longitudinal axis L.

Preferably, in order to disassemble the cladding element <NUM> from the attachment element <NUM>, the operator may simply bend for example the second wing <NUM> to widen the angle between the two wings <NUM>, <NUM> again and allow to remove the first and the second retention member <NUM>, <NUM> respectively from the first and second groove <NUM>, <NUM> of the cladding element <NUM>, substantially by pulling the latter forward (that is moving away from the first wing <NUM> of the attachment element <NUM>). In this manner, the cladding element <NUM> can be removed without the need to remove the adjacent cladding elements <NUM>.

In this manner, in particular, upon fixing the attachment elements <NUM> onto the wall <NUM> or onto the support structure <NUM>, the installation of the cladding elements <NUM> is quick, given that it does not require using for example screw fixing means for such operation, significantly reducing the installation times and therefore the overall installation costs.

Claim 1:
Wall cladding attachment element (<NUM>), which comprises a main body (<NUM>) intended to be fixed to a wall (<NUM>) and adapted to support a cladding element (<NUM>) having a rear lateral flank (<NUM>) provided with a first groove (<NUM>), which is defined by a corresponding first inner surface (<NUM>), and a lower flank (<NUM>) provided with a second groove (<NUM>), which is defined by a corresponding second inner surface (<NUM>); said main body (<NUM>) comprising:
- a first wing (<NUM>), which is designed to be fixed to said wall (<NUM>) and it is provided with a rear face (<NUM>), which is designed to be faced toward said wall (<NUM>), and with an opposite front face (<NUM>);
- a second wing (<NUM>), which extends like a shelf from the front face (<NUM>) of said first wing (<NUM>) and it is provided with an upper face (<NUM>) which delimits, with the front face (<NUM>) of said first wing (<NUM>), a positioning cavity (<NUM>), such positioning cavity (<NUM>) being designed to receive said cladding element (<NUM>) arranged with said rear lateral flank (<NUM>) facing toward the front face (<NUM>) of said first wing (<NUM>) and with said lower flank (<NUM>) resting against the upper face (<NUM>) of said second wing (<NUM>);
wherein said main body (<NUM>) is substantially L-shaped and it further comprises:
- a first retention member (<NUM>), which extends protruding from the front face (<NUM>) of said first wing (<NUM>) along a first extension direction (X),
- a second retention member (<NUM>), which extends protruding from the upper face (<NUM>) of said second wing (<NUM>) along a second extension direction (Y), characterized in that said first and second retention members are configured to be elastically deformed at least traverse to said first and second extension direction (X,Y), respectively, and they are rHradapted to be engaged in compression in the first and second groove (<NUM>,<NUM>) of said cladding element (<NUM>), resspectively.