Patent Application
20140260043
The present invention relates to a building array comprising a building element and a boundary element which are suitable for use as decking, flooring or cladding materials, in particular the building array is suitable for use as a non-combustible exterior decking, interior flooring or an interior and exterior cladding array.
The invention has been developed primarily for use as a non-combustible decking array for exterior use in a residential dwelling or as an exterior and/or interior cladding system in a residential dwelling or commercial building. The use of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the aforementioned applications. It is to be understood that reference to the use of the present invention in relation to a non-combustible decking array or as an exterior or interior cladding system should not be seen as limiting. It is also to be understood that the terms decking array, exterior cladding system and interior cladding system are used interchangeably throughout the specification to describe the present invention.
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should not be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
Aesthetically pleasing exterior decking partially or completely surrounding at least one level of a residential dwelling construction is known. Decking is traditionally made of wood for its ease of use and installation. In recent years, decking has also been made from wood-plastic composites (WPCs) which mimic the appearance and feel of timber. Neither timber nor WPC decking is fire resistant. Consequently the hazard of using such material to build decking particularly in fire prone areas is prohibitive. Separately, construction of decking, could also be prohibited by local or national building codes or regulations.
Attempts have been made in the past to modify the physical properties of timber to improve its fire resistant properties. Such attempts include, for example, impregnation of timber materials with fire retardant chemicals. The cost of treated timber is higher than that of untreated timber, which in turn impacts the end-user. There are also environmental concerns when using treated timbers due to the increased possibility of environmental pollution should the chemicals be released from the timber.
Furthermore the original method of fastening building materials, such as decking or cladding, to underlying support structures has been nailing through the face of the building material and into the underlying support structure. Face nailing is quick and requires a minimal initial skill level but subsequently requires a higher skill trades person to disguise or obscure fixing points to enable an acceptable finish level to be created in the completed construction.
Different cladding applications require different nail installation techniques, either ending in nail heads sitting just above the cladding surface, flush with the cladding surface, or punched below the cladding surface. When installing over large cladding expanses, nailing to a consistent nail head position is difficult. In addition, nailing or screw fastening onsite is not desirable when the cladding material is prefinished with a decorative surface coating. Precoating fasteners to colour match provides some level of disguise but the actual fastener heads are still visible, detracting from the aesthetics of a completed wail section installation.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing building array suitable for use as a non-combustible decking array for exterior use in a residential dwelling or as an exterior and/or interior cladding system in a residential dwelling
It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’ may, under varying jurisdictions be provided with either an exclusive or inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaning that it should be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components. Accordingly, the term ‘comprise’ is to be attributed with as broad an interpretation as possible within any given jurisdiction and this rationale should also be used when the terms ‘comprised’ and/or ‘comprising’ are used.
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.
According to the invention, there is provided a building array comprising,
The advantage of the building array of the present invention is that it provides an aesthetically acceptable level of surface finish in a completed construction that is also quick and simple to install. Conveniently the building elements of the invention can be formed from any material suitable for use in an exterior or interior building application, as required.
Such materials may include timber, engineered cement composites including fibre cement, engineered wood composites, polymers, polymer composites and the like. When a non-combustible building array is required by an end user it is preferable for the building elements to be formed for a suitable non-combustible material such as fibre cement.
In one embodiment of the invention each of the first and second face, the intermediate portion and the peripheral edge member are integrally formed together as a single unit.
In a further embodiment of the invention the thickness of the intermediate portion is variable and is selected by the manufacturer. In the preferred embodiments of the invention the thickness of the building elements are tailored to provide consumers with a choice of predetermined thickness options for a given product or product range. In one embodiment of the invention the intermediate portion of the building element is at least approximately 12 mm thick. The advantage of this particular thickness is that the building element is able to sustain significant wind loading when placed in a building array which is in the form of an exterior cladding system.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the integrally formed peripheral edge member comprises two pairs of spaced apart opposing side edges. In a preferred embodiment of the invention each pair of spaced apart opposing side edges is positioned in a contiguous orthogonal arrangement relative to the other pair of spaced apart opposing side edges such that each side edge in a pair is in abutment with both side edges in the other pair, the side edges thereby extending around each side of a substantially rectangular building element enclosing the intermediate portion. It is to be understood that the substantially rectangular building element of the invention can be of any shape or size as determined by the person skilled in the art. It is preferable when the building element is being used as part of a building array in the form of a decking system that the substantially rectangular building element is in the form of an elongate substantially rectangular building element.
In a further embodiment of the invention the edge profile can be formed on one or more of the side edges of the building element.
In a further embodiment the edge profile is in the form of a recess or channel or groove.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the edge profile divides the peripheral edge member or side edges of the building element into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion corresponding to the section of the building element including and adjacent to the first face and the second portion of the building element including and adjacent to the second face. The relative position of the edge profile is selected to provide alternate aesthetic effects within the building array or completed construction. It is preferable to ensure that a sufficient thickness of material is retained within the first and second portions such that the first portion has sufficient depth to assist in prevention of damage to the building element during handling and installation.
In one embodiment of the invention, the edge profile has a predominantly central position on the peripheral edge member or side edge.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the building array comprises a building element in which the second portion of the peripheral edge member or side edge is of a different size to that of the first portion of the peripheral edge member or side edge. In one embodiment of the invention the distance between opposing points on the peripheral edge member of the first portion is greater than the distance between opposing points of the peripheral edge member of the second portion such that the second portion is shortened relative to first portion of the peripheral edge member or side edge.
In a further embodiment of the invention the first face is defined as the visual face or surface of the building element. In one embodiment of the invention the first face is adapted to receive a range of surface treatments such as a decorative paint finish, tiles, and the like. In another embodiment of the invention the second face is adapted to receive a range of surface treatments. In one embodiment of the invention, the surface treatments are mechanically or chemically fixed to the second face to modify the aesthetic or physical properties of the building array. An example of a surface treatment includes adhesion of a thermal insulation material to the second face. In a further embodiment of the invention both the first and second faces are adapted to receive one or more of a range of surface treatments, examples of which are outlined above.
In one embodiment of the invention the boundary element comprises a boundary edging element suitable for use as the first edge or terminating edge of a building array. The boundary edging element of the invention comprises a planar base member, at least one flange extending substantially orthogonally from the planar base member and an edge restraining formation extending laterally from the flange remote from the planar base member, whereby the base member, flange and edge restraining formation are arranged to form a substantially ‘C’-shaped channel.
In a further embodiment of the invention the flange of the boundary edging element extends substantially orthogonally from a central or median position on the planar base member such that the planar base member extends outwards in opposing directions on either side of the flange. It is to be understood that the portions of the planar base member extending on either side of the flange do not need to be equidistant.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the boundary edging element of the invention is adapted to receive the first face of the building element thereby providing a capping member that encloses at least a portion of the peripheral edge member of the building element.
In a further embodiment of the invention the boundary element comprises a boundary joining element, comprising at least two spaced apart flanges extending substantially orthogonally from the planar base member, whereby the two spaced apart flanges and base member are configured to form at least one substantially “U” shaped channel. In this embodiment of the invention, each flange terminates in a leg or edge restraining formation extending substantially parallel to the planar base member.
In a further embodiment of the invention the boundary joining element comprises a planar base member which is configured together with flanges to provide three conjoined channels wherein the central channel is a substantially “U”-shaped channel, the base member and flanges of the boundary joining element forming the base member and side members of the central channel and the channels on either side of the central channel are substantially shaped channels facing in opposing directions, the flanges, base member and edge restraining formation forming the base members and respective side members of the channels positioned on either side of the central channel.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the boundary joining element is sized and shaped to facilitate a junction between two panels of unequal thickness or alternatively a junction between a building element of the invention and an alternate building material or structure.
In a further embodiment of the invention the base members of the boundary elements further comprise at least one fixing location indicators. One or more fixing location indicators being selected from the group comprising an aperture, recesses such as indentations or surface markings engraved into the surface or applied to the surface.
In one embodiment of the invention the fixing indicators are positioned on the base member such that a building element will cover the fixing location indicators when positioned within a building array.
The advantage of the fixing indicators is that they show a user the preferred point at which the boundary elements should be fixed to a structural support member. Ideally, the boundary elements are secured to a structural support element, by means of mechanical fixing means such as nails, screws, staples and/or scrails.
The boundary elements engage with the building elements such that boundary elements attach the building elements to a structural support member without the need for face fixing of the building elements. Significantly, the boundary elements when secured to a structural support member prevent substantial lateral or orthogonal movement of the building element relative to the structural support member. The advantage of this is that the building elements have freedom to cycle through thermal expansion and contraction effects due to environmental conditions without stress being placed at specific sites of a building element where mechanical fixing means would normally be positioned.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the building array further comprises a cover element comprising a top member including a first cover element face and a second cover element face and a pair of legs, each leg extending substantially orthogonally from the second cover element face. The cover element is used to conceal at least a portion of boundary joining element.
In a further embodiment of the invention each leg further comprises a restraining formation shaped to form a frictional fit of the cover element into the “U” shaped channel of the boundary joining element.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the flanges of the boundary joining element are provided with a detent at an appropriate location to seat and hold the restraining formation of the cover element such that the restraining formation can only be released from the detent by application of an external force. Advantageously, the restraining formation and detent are of complimentary shape to enable the detent to position and hold the restraining formation.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover element comprises a protrusion extending from at least a portion of the first cover element face. The protrusion is provided to alter the direction of flow of water away from the visual face of the building elements when in a building array. By altering the direction of flow of water away from the building array, the opportunity for water to percolate between the cover element and the boundary element of the building array is minimised. Conveniently the protrusion can be of any suitable shape or form to achieve the desired effect. In one embodiment of the invention, the protrusion is in the form of an ‘I’ or an ‘L’ shaped protrusion. It is to be understood that these shapes should not be seen as limiting, any shape known to a person skilled in the art which will achieve the desired effect can also be used.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the first cover element face has an applied surface treatment. Ideally, the surface treatment is selected to suit the material from which cover element is made and is used to provide a low cost aesthetically pleasing finish on the first cover element face. For example, when the cover element is a metal cover element, surface treatments include abrading, machining, painting, etching, and/or anodising. Alternatively, in a further embodiment of the invention the surface treatment may consist of applying a polymer trim by chemically fixing the trim to the first cover element face. Usually, such a polymer trim would be chemically fixed by gluing.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the boundary elements and cover element are formed from any one of the materials selected from the group comprising metals, ceramics, polymers or polymer composites. In a further embodiment of the invention, the boundary elements, cover element and channels formed therein are preferably formed by techniques known to the person skilled in the art. For example, where the boundary elements or cover element are formed from a polymer or polymer composite material, the or each element may be formed by any suitable method known in the art, such as extrusion, pultrusion, injection moulding, compression moulding, vacuum forming and line bending. Alternatively, the boundary elements or cover element may be formed from a metal, by commonly known methods such as extrusion.
In a further embodiment of the invention the boundary elements or cover element may also be formed as discrete units or may be formed in predefined lengths, for example, in the form of elongate boundary or cover elements, depending on the forming method selected.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of constructing a building array on a structural support element, the method comprising the steps of
In a further embodiment of the invention the method further comprises the following steps after step (b) and before step (c);
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of;
When the building array of the present invention is used in a decking application, particularly in a bushfire prone area, one advantage of using continuous length elongate boundary joining elements is that there is no gap between cladding elements to allow hot embers and the like to pass through the deck to any underlying material. Thus elongate boundary joining elements eliminate the gaps traditionally found between decking elements. Removal of these gaps prevents hot embers being able to migrate between decking elements and ignite any flammable materials deliberately or unintentionally present in the ground clearance space beneath the decking.
When the building array of the present invention is used in a cladding application, the building elements and boundary elements are arranged to form a rain screen over the structural substrate. In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a water impermeable and/or breathable membrane in the form of a building wrap intermediate the building array and the structural substrate to form a water impermeable barrier over the structural substrate.
The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only four embodiments of the building array of the invention.
In the drawings,
Referring initially to
Building elements 100, 200 of the invention can be formed from any material suitable for use in an exterior or interior building application, as required. Such materials may include timber, engineered cement composites including fibre cement, engineered wood composites, polymers, polymer composites and the like.
The building elements 100, 200 further comprise an integrally formed peripheral edge member 108, 208 extending around the intermediate portion 106, 206. In the embodiments shown, building elements 100, 200 comprise a hexahedron shape whereby four faces of the hexahedron shape are formed by the integrally formed peripheral edge member 108, 208. In the embodiments shown, the integrally formed peripheral edge member 108, 208 comprises two pairs of spaced apart opposing side edges. Each pair of spaced apart opposing side edges are positioned in a contiguous orthogonal arrangement relative to the other pair of spaced apart opposing side edges such that each side edge in a pair is in abutment with both side edges in the other pair, the side edges thereby extending around each side of the substantially rectangular building elements 100, 200 enclosing the intermediate portion 106, 206. Only one pair of spaced apart opposing side edges are shown 110, 210 in
Each of side edges 110, 210 comprise an edge profile 112, 212. It is to be understood, edge profile 112, 212 can be formed on one or more of the side edges of the building element 100, 200. In the embodiments shown, the edge profile 112, 212 is in the form of a recess or channel or groove. The edge profile 112, 212 is adapted to releasably engage an edge restraining formation 310, 410, 510, 610 as shown in
The difference between the building element 100 of
Referring now to
Boundary joining elements 300, 400 are configured to form at least one substantially “U” shaped channel 302, 402, having a base member or web 304, 404 from which two spaced apart flanges 306, 308, 406 and 408 extend substantially orthogonally. Each flange 306, 308, 406, 408 terminates in a leg or edge restraining formation 310, 410 extending substantially parallel to base member 304, 404. Boundary joining element 300 differs from boundary joining element 400, in that the base member 304 of boundary joining element 300 extends outwardly in the same plane in opposing directions such that the base member 304 is configured together with flanges 306, 308 and legs 310 to provide three conjoined channels 302, 302a and 302b Channel 302 is a substantially “U”-shaped channel wherein the base member 304 of the boundary joining element 300 forms the base member and flanges 306, 308 form the side members of channel 302. Channels 302a and 302b are substantially ‘C’-shaped channels facing in opposing directions, flanges 306, 308 form the respective base members of channels 302a and 302b and base member 304 and edge restraining formation 310 of the boundary joining element 300 form the respective side members of channels 302a and 302b.
Each of base members 304, 404 are configured to provide fixing indicators 312, 412. As shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The boundary elements 300, 400, 500, 600, cover element 700 and channels formed therein are preferably formed by extrusion techniques as known to the person skilled in the art. For, example, where the boundary elements 300, 400, 500, 600 or cover element 700 are formed from a polymer or polymer composite material, the or each element may be formed by any suitable method known in the art, such as extrusion, pultrusion, injection moulding, compression moulding, vacuum forming and line bending. Alternatively, the boundary elements 300, 400, 500, 600 or cover element 700 may be formed from a metal, by commonly known methods such as extrusion. The boundary elements 300, 400, 500, 600 or cover element 700 may also be formed as discrete units or may be formed in predefined lengths, depending on the forming method selected.
Referring now to
Although the edge of the area to be covered is not shown, the non-combustible decking array 800 as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The procedure of placement of building elements 100, 200 and boundary elements 300, 400, 500, 600 is repeated until the desired area is covered by an array of building elements 100, 200, elongate boundary joining elements 300, 400 and boundary edging elements 500, 600 to form a non-combustible decking array 800. Boundary joining elements 300, 400 and boundary edging elements 500, 600 are placed to prevent movement of the building elements 100, 200 away from the structural decking substrate 802 in lateral and orthogonal directions.
The decking array embodiment shown in
Cover element 700 is placed in position to cover and conceal the boundary joining element 300, 400 intermediate two adjacent building elements 100. Legs 710 and 712 provide a frictional fit of the cover element 700 into the “U” shaped channel 302, 402 of boundary joining elements 300, 400. Each cover element 700 is positioned by applying pressure to the first cover element face 706 sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of restraining formations 710a, 712b and to urge legs 710 and 712 into the recess of the substantially ‘U’-shaped channel 302, 402 of boundary joining elements 300, 400. The travel distance of the cover element 700 is limited by the second cover element face 708 contacting the ends of flanges 306, 308, 406, 408 of boundary joining elements 300, 400 remote from the base element 304, 404. Cover element 700 is maintained in position by tension forces between restraining formation 710a and 712b and flanges 306, 308, 406, 408 of joining elements 300, 400.
Referring now to
In a decking application, particularly for a bushfire prone area, one advantage of using continuous length elongate boundary joining elements is that there is no gap between cladding elements to allow hot embers and the like to pass through the deck to any underlying material. Thus elongate boundary joining elements eliminate the gaps traditionally found between decking elements. Removal of these gaps prevents hot embers being able to migrate between decking elements and ignite any flammable materials deliberately or unintentionally present in the ground clearance space beneath the decking. Building elements 100, 200, boundary joining elements 300, 400, 500 and 600 and cover element 700 are each formed from non-combustible materials and so will also prevent combustion of the decking structure caused by contact with hot embers.
Referring now to
Façade panels 100 are positioned so that an edge profile 112 releasably engages an edge restraining formation 610, 310 of boundary edging element 600 and boundary joining element 300 respectively. Optionally, adhesive 806 may be used on some structural support elements 802 to provide either a temporary or a permanent benefit in the façade construction, either acting simply as an aid to installation or to provide additional mechanical strength to the constructed façade. Where this option is used, adhesive 806 makes contact with second face 104 of building elements or façade panels 100 when in position. It is to be understood that in the example shown building elements 100 are used, any other suitable type of building element, for example, building element 200 could also be used in the façade cladding system of the invention.
Once a building element or façade panel 100 is fixed in a desired position, additional boundary joining elements 300 are positioned such that one of a pair of edge restraining formations 310 releasably engages an edge profile 112 on building element 100. Boundary joining elements 300 may be discrete elements or may be lengths sufficient to restrain a side edge of one cladding element or sufficient to restrain several cladding elements. The base member 304 of each boundary joining element 300 is fixed to structural support element 802 in user selectable positions. Fixing indicator positions 312 may be indicated by markings or recesses in, or apertures through, base member 304. Fixing indicator positions 312 enable consistent and reproducible fixing spacing guides for installers. In practice, a first building element 100 is positioned, and two adjacent edges are restrained by installing at least one boundary joining element 300. In
In this example building element 100, is a façade panel with a factory applied coating. In alternate embodiments, the coating may be applied onsite during installation. Factory applied coatings may include several layers, but has at least one layer performing as a top coat which may perform a decorative and/or protective function. The façade panel may be coated on some or all sides, however at least the building element first face or visual surface 102 is intended to have an applied top coat.
It is understood that façade cladding systems do not need to use building elements or façade panels all of the same dimensions. Interesting and aesthetically pleasing façades can be constructed by combining cladding elements of various sizes. Referring now to
It will be appreciated that the cladding system as illustrated in
It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1116977.8 | Oct 2011 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2012/004114 | 10/1/2012 | WO | 00 | 4/3/2014 |
