Patent Application
20150376903
The present disclosure relates to building facades and, more particularly, to a system securing extruded planks to a framing structure.
Building facades are attached to the building framing structure in order to provide an aesthetic appearance. When extruded planks are used as the façade material, they are secured by a connector clip. Ordinarily, the extruded planks include retention flanges that are positioned underneath the connector clips to secure the extruded planks to the framing structure.
The extruded planks are positioned adjacent one another with clips spaced along the junction of adjacent extruded planks. Thus, the connector clips are fastened onto the framing structure to secure the extruded planks to the framing structure. The connector clips are generally screwed or bolted into the framing structure. The connector clips include retaining pockets that receive retention flanges from the extruded planks. The connector clips that secure the extruded planks to the framing structure are placed on top of one of the retention flanges and are secured to the framing structure. However, during fastening, the connector clip has the opportunity to rotate on the framing structure. This is cumbersome and requires additional effort by the craftsman to secure the extruded planks in position on the framing structure during attachment of the connector clips.
The present disclosure provides the art with a connector clip and a plank securing system that eliminates rotation of the connector clips on the extruded planks during installation. The connector clips include a locator mechanism to hold the connector clip in position during installation of the connector clips.
According to the disclosure, a system for securing plank panels comprises a pair of plank panels positioned adjacent one another. Each plank panel includes a retention mechanism. At least one connector clip secures the pair of plank panels with one another on a framing structure. The at least one connector clip couples with the retention mechanisms of each adjacent plank panels. The at least one connector clip includes a body with a first and second retaining pocket. The first and second retaining pockets couple with the retention mechanisms of each adjacent plank panel. A locator hump is coupled with the body. The locator hump positions the connector clip in place with respect to at least one of the pair of plank panels. This locates the connector clip on the plank panel to enable it to be secured with the framing structure. The locator hump includes a cutout to receive a portion of the retention mechanism. This connection prohibits rotation of the connector clip during installation onto the framing structure. The cutout may extend the length of the hump. The at least one retention mechanism has an upturned end. The upturned end fits into the cutout in the hump to position the at least one connector clip against rotation on the plank panel.
According to another object of the present disclosure, a connector clip, to secure a pair of plank panels with one another, comprises a body with a first and second retaining pocket. The first and second retaining pockets couple with the retention mechanisms of each adjacent plank panel. A locator hump is coupled with the body. The locator hump positions the connector clip in place with respect to at least one of the pair of plank panels. This locates the connector clip on the plank panel to enable it to be secured with the framing structure. The locator hump includes a cutout to receive a portion of the retention mechanism. This connection prohibits rotation of the connector clip during installation onto the framing structure. The cutout may extend the length of the hump. The at least one retention mechanism has an upturned end. The upturned end fits into the cutout in the locator hump to position the at least one connector clip against rotation on the plank panel.
Further in accordance with the disclosure, a method of building a wall of plank panels comprises providing a plurality of plank panels. Each plank panel has two sides with retention mechanisms adjacent each side. A plurality of connecting clips is provided. Each connecting clip includes a body with a first and second retaining pocket. The first and second retaining pockets couple with the retention mechanisms of each plank panel. A locator hump is coupled with the body. The locator hump positions the connector clip in place with respect to at least one of the pair of plank panels. This locates the connector clip on the plank panel to enable it to be secured with a framing structure. The locator hump includes a cutout to receive a portion of the retention mechanism. This connector prohibits rotation of the connector clip during installation onto the framing structure. The cutout extends the length of the locator hump. The at least one retention mechanism has an upturned end. The upturned end fits into the cutout in the locator hump to position the at least one connector clip against rotation on the plank panel.
A first plank panel is positioned on a framing structure. At least one connector clip is positioned on the first plank panel. A locator hump receives an upturned portion of the first plank retention mechanism. A second plank panel retention mechanism is slid into the at least one connector clip first or second pocket to retain a side of the second adjacent plank panel in the at least one connector clip. A second connector clip is positioned on the other side of the second plank panel. The locator hump receives the upturned portion on the retaining mechanism of the second panel portion. The positioning of plank panels adjacent one another is repeated by positioning the plank panels and connector clips until a wall is formed.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Turning to the figures, especially
Each plank panel includes a body 22 having a desired configuration. The body 22 may have any type of configuration. As shown, the body 22 has a wave design. The body 22 includes sides 24, 26. Side 26 includes a retention flange 28. The retention flange 28 has an overall L-shape when viewed in cross-section as illustrated in
The other side 24 of the panel includes a down turned flange 40. An extending retention mechanism 42 is adjacent the side 24 and downturned flange 40. The retention mechanism 42 extends from the underside of the body 22. The retention mechanism 42 has an overall L-shape, in cross-section as seen in
The connector clips 50 have an overall rectangular configuration. Each connector clip 50 includes a body 52 and first and second retaining pockets 54, 56. The pockets 54, 56 are defined by flanges 55, 57 extending from the body 52. A locator hump 58 is positioned between the body 52 and the second retaining pocket 56. The second flange 57 extends from the locator hump 58. The locator hump 58 includes a cutout 60 that receives the upturned toe portion 34 of the retention flange 28. The locator hump 58 enables the cutout 60 to receive the upturned toe portion 34. This connection prohibits rotation of the connector clip 50 on the extruded plank panel 20 during installation of the connector clip 50 onto the framing structure 48. The connector clip 50 secures the extruded plank panel 20 onto the framing structure 48. The connector clip 50 may be stamped from a metallic material. The retaining flanges 55, 57 have a bottom surface 62, 64. The bottom surface 62, 64, defining the pockets 54, 56, are substantially co-planar. The locator hump cutout 60 extends upward from the planar surface 64. The locator hump 58 has an overall U-shape in cross section as illustrated in
A method for securing the plank panels will be described. A first extruded panel 20a is positioned adjacent to the bottom of the support structure 48. At least one connector clip 50 is positioned adjacent the panel 20a. The connector clip 50 cutout 60 mates with the flange 28 and upturned toe portion 34. A fastener, such as screw or the like, is passed through the body 52 of the connector clip 50. Due to the connection between the locator hump cutout 60 and the flange upturned toe portion 34, the connector clip 50 is prevented from rotating during the installation process. A plurality of connector clips 50 are positioned along the longitudinal length of the flange 28 as illustrated in
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
