Covering element support arrangement

Abstract

A covering element support arrangement for attaching covering elements to a building or building component. The covering element support arrangement has a carrier means for receiving covering elements thereon. The covering element support arrangement further has an attachment means for attaching covering elements to the carrier means. The attachment means involves mechanical fastening means that can be fastened to the carrier means and that are engageable with covering elements to fix the covering elements to the carrier means. The carrier means is formed at least partially from a perforated sheet and the mechanical fastening means is engageable with the perforations. The frequency of the perforations is such that a covering element can be attached to the carrier means without requiring the covering element to be initially aligned relative to any single perforation. This thereby reduces the time required to fit covering elements.

Claims

1. A covering element support arrangement for attaching covering elements to a building or building component, the covering element support arrangement comprising a carrier means for receiving covering elements thereon, wherein the covering elements are brick slips, block slips, stone slips, composite slips, or glass-reinforced plastic slips, and wherein the covering elements include an interior face for attachment to the carrier means, an exterior face opposite the interior face and a plurality of peripheral edge faces connecting the interior face and the exterior face, the covering element support arrangement comprising attachment means for attaching the covering elements to the carrier means, wherein there is a slot in one or more of the peripheral edge faces of the covering elements for receiving at least a portion of the attachment means, the attachment means comprising mechanical fastening means that are fastened to the carrier means and that are engaged with the covering elements to fix the covering elements to the carrier means, the carrier means being formed at least partially from a perforated sheet, the mechanical fastening means being engaged with the perforations, and wherein the frequency of the perforations is such that the covering elements are attached to the carrier means without requiring the covering elements to be initially aligned relative to any single perforation.

2. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical fastening means comprises a bracket for fixing two adjacent covering elements to the carrier means.

3. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein each perforation provides an attachment means receiving means, and wherein the bracket is configured such that it is manoeuvrable laterally between adjacent covering elements when located in the gap between covering elements and/or is rotatable about its axis when located between two adjacent covering elements such that it can be maneuvered to align with an attachment means receiving means on the carrier means to enable fixing thereto.

4. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frequency of perforations in combination with the manoeuvrability of the bracket, is such that regardless of the location of the placement of the covering element on the covering means, at least one perforation will be suitable for use in fixing the covering element to the covering means.

5. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bracket can be fixed to the carrier means and be in engagement with two adjacent covering elements in more than one axial orientation relative to the covering elements.

6. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bracket comprises a base that is fixable to the carrier means, wherein the base abuts the carrier means in use and wherein the base of the bracket comprises an aperture, hole or slot for allowing a fixing means to pass therethrough.

7. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein the base of the bracket comprises an elongate aperture.

8. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bracket comprises an engagement means for engaging with one or more covering elements, and wherein the engagement means is shaped such that it does not obscure the view of the base of the bracket in use.

9. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the engagement means is a planar engagement means and wherein the engagement means is shaped to extend between a slot in a first covering element to a slot in an adjacent second covering element.

10. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein a portion of the bracket extends from the engagement means towards the carrier means in use, and wherein the bracket comprises a pillar for connecting the base to the engagement means.

11. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bracket comprises a single pillar for connecting the base to the engagement means.

12. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the base is connected to the pillar at one end of the pillar, and the engagement means is connected to the pillar at an opposing end of the pillar.

13. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the engagement means of the bracket comprises a free end for engaging a slot in a first covering element, and at least one prong for engaging a slot in a second covering element, the first covering element and second covering element being neighbouring covering elements, and wherein the free end is integrally connected to the or each prong.

14. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base extends from the pillar in a first direction and wherein the free end extends from the pillar in a second direction.

15. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the or each prong extends from the free end in the first direction.

16. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one end clip for attaching one end of a peripheral covering element to the covering element support arrangement.

17. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the covering element support arrangement comprises a backing means located at the back of the carrier means, and wherein the backing means is formed at least partially from cementitious and/or composite material.

18. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the covering element support arrangement comprises reinforcement means.

19. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the covering element support arrangement comprises a connection means for connecting the covering element support arrangement to a building or building component.

20. The covering element support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the covering element support arrangement comprises interlocking means for interlocking with neighbouring covering element support element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of a covering element support arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a rear exploded view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 6 is a rear view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 7 is an underside/soffit view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 8 is a top view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1.

(10) FIG. 10 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 1, clearly showing the pattern of perforations of the carrier.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bracket according to an aspect of the invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative bracket according to an aspect of the invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an end clip for attaching one end of a peripheral covering element to the carrier.

(14) FIG. 14 is a rear exploded view of a similar support arrangement to that of FIG. 1, but wherein the alternative covering element support bracket of FIG. 12 is used instead of the bracket as shown in FIG. 11.

(15) FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a covering element support arrangement according to the invention.

(16) FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 15.

(17) FIG. 17 is a front view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 15.

(18) FIG. 18 is a rear view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 15.

(19) FIG. 19 is an underside/soffit view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 15.

(20) FIG. 20 is a top view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 15.

(21) FIG. 21 is a side view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 15.

(22) FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of a covering element support arrangement in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

(23) FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 22.

(24) FIG. 24 is a front view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 22.

(25) FIG. 25 is a rear view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 22.

(26) FIG. 26 is an underside/soffit view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 22.

(27) FIG. 27 is a top view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 22.

(28) FIG. 28 is a side view of the covering element support arrangement of FIG. 22.

(29) FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of a mount for a support arrangement as according to the invention.

(30) FIG. 30 shows a side view of the mount shown in FIG. 29, and a side view of an example embodiment of the covering element support arrangement 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(31) The skilled man will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention.

(32) It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

(33) The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show three embodiments of a support arrangement according to the invention by way of example only.

(34) In FIGS. 1 to 9 there is shown a first embodiment of a covering element support arrangement according to the invention illustrated generally by reference numeral 1. The covering element support arrangement 1 comprises a carrier 2 for receiving covering elements 3 thereon in a plurality of positions and/or configurations. In this embodiment, the carrier 2 is formed from stainless steel, but other materials may also be used. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9 the covering elements are masonry slips 3 such as brick, block or stone slips, or glass-reinforced plastic slips that are attached to the carrier 2.

(35) Each covering element 3 includes an interior face for attachment to the carrier means, an exterior face opposite the interior face and a plurality of peripheral edge faces connecting the interior face and the exterior face. In preferred embodiments each covering element 3 has a thickness of 25-35 mm and includes slots in two opposing peripheral edges. Each slot is located 10-15 mm from the interior face of the covering element and provides a means by which covering elements 3 may be mechanically fixed to the carrier 2. In one embodiment, the slot is provided by removing a semi-circular shaped portion of the covering element 3.

(36) Covering elements 3 are mechanically fixed and adhesively bonded to the carrier 2. The covering elements 3 are adhesively bonded to the carrier 2 using any suitable adhesive 4 such as an epoxy resin, polymer-modified adhesive or mortar which is applied to the carrier 2 and the interior face of each covering element. However, as a mechanical fix mechanism is provided, it would be possible to forgo the adhesive. The covering elements 3 are mechanically fixed to the carrier using attachment members 5a and 5b, wherein at least a portion of each attachment member 5a, 5b is received in a slot in the peripheral edge of a covering element 3. The use of mechanical fastenings means that covering elements, such as masonry slips, can more readily be mechanically fixed to a carrier means and this discourages the use of copious amounts of epoxy resin, polymer-modified adhesive or mortar. The reliance on adhesives, such as certain epoxy resins, which can emit toxic fumes when burnt, is thereby mitigated by use of a carrier means to which covering elements can be easily mechanically fixed.

(37) The carrier 2 has a generally L-shaped cross-section, having two generally planar surfaces 2a and 2b for receiving covering elements 3. The carrier 2 also includes a reinforcing flange 2c for the purpose of improving the rigidity of the carrier 2. The carrier 2 is constructed from a single 2 mm-thick stainless steel sheet and is bent into the configuration shown in e.g. FIG. 1. The carrier 2 comprises a soffit surface 2b which is perpendicular to an upstanding planar surface 2a and, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, covering elements 3 are attached to these two surfaces. L-shaped covering elements 3 are attached to both the soffit surface 2b and upstanding planar surface 2a and flat covering elements 3 are attached to the soffit surface 2b only.

(38) The covering element support arrangement 1 includes an elongate backing member 6 which extends along substantially the entire length of the covering element support arrangement 1 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the backing member 6 is 9 mm thick and is formed from cementitious material. By “cementitious” it is meant a substance formed from bound together aggregates, such as concrete or magnesium particle board. The backing member 6 is non-combustible and is formed from mineral particle board such as, in preferred embodiments, calcium silicate sheathing board, magnesium oxide particle board, concrete, fiber-reinforced polymers, FRPs (including wood comprising cellulose fibers in a lignin and hemicellulose matrix), carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), thermoplastic composite (short fiber thermoplastics, long fiber thermoplastics or long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics), thermoset composite, and/or aramid fibre and carbon fibre in an epoxy resin matrix.

(39) The covering element support arrangement 1 is reinforced using gussets 7 which are attached to the carrier 2 via welding. Each gusset is made from stainless steel and has a thickness of 2.5 mm. The gussets 7 provide increased strength to the carrier 2 thereby preventing flex and movement of the carrier 2. Each gusset 7 includes a slot 8a to receive the backing member 6 (see FIG. 4). Each gusset 7 engages the soffit surface 2b via the portion of the gusset 7 on either side of the slot 8a, the rear side of upstanding planar surface 2a, and the reinforcing flange 2c. Following fitting the gussets 7 to the carrier 2, the backing member 6 is inserted through the slots 8a of each gusset (or, alternatively, the gussets 7 may be installed after the backing member 6). The slots 8a are orientated relative to the carrier 2 such that when the backing member 6 is inserted, the edge of the backing member is in parallel alignment with the edge of the soffit surface 2b. Each gusset includes a further slot 8b to receive a connection member 9. The connection member 9 being welded to each gusset 7 also. Alternatively, the connection member 9 could be attached directly to the carrier 2.

(40) As shown in FIG. 10, carrier 2 includes a plurality of apertures or perforations 10 for receiving both adhesive and fixing elements, the perforations being a regular arrangement of perforations on the soffit surface 2b and upstanding planar surface 2a. It should be noted that the perforations 10 are not illustrated in every drawing to enhance the clarity of the drawings where the frequency of the perforations 10 causes the drawings to be unclear. In this embodiment, the perforations are 3 mm diameter holes and are arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern and the pitch/distance between the centres of neighbouring holes is 5 mm. The skilled reader will understand that the diameter of the holes, specific pattern, and pitch/distance may altered, and a number of example of equations in the following paragraph are provided for calculating suitable patterns of perforations. The advantage of the honeycomb close-packed arrangement as shown in the detail of FIG. 10 is that this provides the highest density of perforations for a given inter-perforation-distance (i.e. the most closely packed structure of perforations 10). The perforations are sized to be able to receive and retain stainless steel screws, as well as allowing a certain amount of adhesive material to pass therethrough. This means that the perforations allow positions where mechanical fixings may be attached to the carrier 2, as well as positions where adhesive can strongly bond to the carrier 2.

(41) In the embodiment shown, over 50% of the carrier 2 is open. The open areas of the carrier 2 can be calculated using various equations, depending on the particular pattern of perforations. If the perforations are circular, and have a triangular pitch (i.e. the rows of perforations are offset such that a perforation on an upper row is located between two perforations on the row below, thereby forming an equilateral triangle between the centre points of the perforations), then the percentage of openness can be determined by the equation:

(42) $\frac{R^2\times 90.69}{T^2}=\%$
where R is the diameter of the perforations and where T is distance between the centres of the circles forming the equilateral triangle. If the perforations are circular and are aligned such that the perforations in an upper row are in the same position as the perforations in the row below, then the percentage of openness can be determined by the equation:

(43) $\frac{R^2\times 78.5}{U_1\times U_2}=\%$
where R is the diameter of the perforations, U.sub.1 is the distance between the centre of a perforation on one row and the centre of the perforation directly below said perforation, and U.sub.2 is the distance between the centre of one perforation and the centre of a perforation adjacent to said perforation on the same row. If the perforations are slotted holes with rounded edges and arranged such that a perforation on an upper row is located between two perforations on the row below, thereby forming an offset pattern, openness can be determined by the equation:

(44) $\frac{\left(R\times L-0.215R^2\right)\times 100}{0.5\times \left(Z_1\times Z_2\right)}=\%$
where R is the height of the perforations and L is the length of the perforations, Z.sub.1 is the distance between the centre of a perforation on one row, and the centre of a perforation two rows below said perforation (i.e. the distance between aligned rows), and Z.sub.2 is the distance between the centre of two perforations adjacent to one another on the same row. If the perforations are rectangular holes and arranged such that a perforation on an upper row is located between two perforations on the row below, thereby forming an offset pattern, openness can be determined by the equation:

(45) $\frac{100\times L\times C}{0.5\times \left(Z_1\times Z_2\right)}=\%$
where L is the length of the perforations, C is the height of the perforations, Z.sub.1 is the distance between the centre of a perforation on one row, and the centre of a perforation two rows below said perforation (i.e. the distance between aligned rows), and Z.sub.2 is the distance between the centre of two perforations adjacent to one another on the same row. If the perforations are square holes and arranged such that a perforation on an upper row is located between two perforations on the row below, thereby forming an offset pattern, openness can be determined by the equation:

(46) $\frac{C^2\times 100}{0.5\times \left(Z_1\times Z_2\right)}=\%$
where C is the length of a side of the perforations, Z.sub.1 is the distance between the centre of a perforation on one row, and the centre of a perforation two rows below said perforation (i.e. the distance between aligned rows), and Z.sub.2 is the distance between the centre of two perforations adjacent to one another on the same row. If the perforations are square and are aligned such that the perforations in an upper row are in the same position as the perforations in the row below, then the percentage of openness can be determined by the equation:

(47) $\frac{C^2\times 100}{U_1\times U_2}=\%$
where C is the length of a side of the perforations, U.sub.1 is the distance between the centre of a perforation on one row and the centre of the perforation directly below said perforation, and U.sub.2 is the distance between the centre of a perforation and the centre of the perforation adjacent to said perforation on the same row.

(48) The perforations 10 are to be positioned at places on the carrier intended to receive covering elements 3. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, perforations 10 can be provided in a regular or semi-regular arrangement over any suitable part of carrier 2, including over substantially all of the surface of the carrier 2. The carrier 2 may include regions or sections which are free of perforations 10. While in the preferred embodiments the apertures are circular, the apertures may be of any suitable shape such as square and may be in any appropriate arrangement including a rectangular arrangement.

(49) Covering elements 3 are attached to the carrier 2 via attachment members, particularly brackets 5a, shown in detail in FIG. 11, and end clips 5b, shown in detail in FIG. 13. FIG. 12 shows an alternative bracket 5c that may be used instead of the brackets shown in FIG. 10. All of the attachment members shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11-13 are made from 1 mm-thick stainless steel sheet material but variations in the thickness and/or type of material used are also within the scope of the invention. The regular arrangement of perforations 10 in the carrier 2 provide predetermined positions for the brackets 5a to be attached to the carrier using fixing members such as screws or bolts. Depending on the number and arrangement of covering elements on the carrier 2, each bracket 5a is used to attach one end of each covering element 3 to the carrier.

(50) As shown in FIG. 11, each bracket 5a comprises a base 11. In this embodiment, the base 11 is a planar base. The bracket further comprises a slot 12 to allow a fixing member such as a stainless steel screw to pass therethrough and fix the bracket 5a to the carrier 2. The slot 12 is an elongate slot and this provides further maneuverability of the bracket 5a. Each bracket 5a also comprises an engagement surface 14. The engagement surface 14 is generally U-shaped and planar. The engagement surface 14 of each bracket 5a has a free end 14a for engaging a slot in a first covering element 3, and two prongs 14b for engaging a slot in a neighbouring covering element 3. While two prongs is preferable, a single prong in some embodiments would suffice. Each respective free end 14a is integrally connected to each prong 14b. Each bracket 5a further comprises a pillar 13 which connects the base 11 to the planar engagement surface 14. As shown in FIG. 11, the pillars 13 are planar and have a length of 10-15 mm. This length corresponds to the distance between the interior face and the slot of the covering element 3 for which the bracket 5a is to be used to retain, and brackets having different length pillars may be formed to cooperate with different sized or shaped covering elements.

(51) The outline of each bracket 5a is cut from a metal sheet and the cut shape is bent at either end of the pillar 13 to assume the form shown in FIG. 11 (see also FIG. 12). A first perpendicular bend defines the joint between the base 11 and the pillar 13 and a second perpendicular bend defines the joint between the pillar 13 and the planar engagement surface 14. In this way the base 11, planar engagement surface 14 and pillar 13 are integrally formed. The base 11 is located between the two prongs 14b at the opposite end of the pillar 13 to the planar engagement surface 14. The planar engagement means 14 and base 11 are substantially parallel. The base 11 and each prong 14b extends from the pillar 13 in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the pillar 13 and the free end 14a extends from the pillar in a second direction (also perpendicular to the axis of the pillar 13) that is opposite the first direction. Bracket 5c as shown in FIG. 12 differs from that of bracket 5a in FIG. 11 in that the engagement surface 14 is circular in shape instead of rectangular. This can improve the strength of the fix of the covering element 3 to the carrier 2 as a greater amount of the bracket 5c is located within the slot of the covering element 3 after the bracket 5c is fixed to the carrier 2 (when compared with that of bracket 5a). FIG. 14 shows the same arrangement of that of FIGS. 1 and 2 however bracket 5a has been replaced with bracket 5c.

(52) As shown in e.g. FIGS. 3 and 4, end clips 5b are used to attach covering elements 3 having an edge at the periphery of the covering element support arrangement 1 (referred to as ‘peripheral covering elements’). The end clips 5b, shown in detail in FIG. 13, are generally C-shaped having a planar base 15 with a hole 16 for allowing a fixing means such as a screw or bolt to pass therethrough. End clip 5b also comprises a planar engagement surface 18 which is attached to the base 15 via a planar connection strip 17. Engagement surface 18 includes a curved free end for engaging a slot in a peripheral covering element 3. In this embodiment, the length of each connection strip 17 between the base 15 and the planar engagement surface 18 is 21-26 mm, which corresponds to the sum of distance between the interior face and the slot of the covering element 3, the thickness of the backing board 6, the thickness of the adhesive 4, and the thickness of the carrier 2.

(53) Each end clip 5b is cut from a flat stainless-steel sheet and bent at either end of the connection strip 17 to assume the form shown in FIG. 13. A first perpendicular bend defines the joint between the base 15 and the connection strip 17 and a second perpendicular bend defines the joint between the connection strip 17 and the engagement surface 18. In this way the base 15, engagement surface 18 and connection strip 17 are integrally formed from a single sheet. The engagement surface 18 and base 15 are substantially parallel and extend from the connection strip 17 in substantially the same direction.

(54) Returning to FIGS. 1-9, the covering element support arrangement 1 comprises a connection member 9 for connecting the covering element support arrangement 1 to a building or building component. The connection member 9 is operable to retain the covering element support arrangement 1 at or about a face of a building such that at least part of the covering element support arrangement 1 forms at least a part of a building soffit. The connection member 9 is elongate and comprises a 41 mm by 21 mm steel channel that extends between, and is attached to, gussets 7. The longitudinal axis of the connection member 9 is perpendicular to the plane of each gusset 7. As shown in FIG. 9, the connection member 9 has a base 9a with two mutually opposing sidewalls 9b, 9c that extend perpendicularly from the base 9a, and an opening that is mutually opposing the base 9a. The opening has two mutually opposed retaining lips 20 that extend from the upper portion of the sidewalls 9b, 9c to project over the opening. The connection member 9 is sized to receive a retaining member such as a spring nut or machined block, the position of the retaining member being adjustable along the length of the connection member 9.

(55) In FIGS. 15-21 there is shown a second embodiment of a covering element support arrangement according to the invention illustrated generally by reference numeral 101. The differences between this second embodiment 101 and the first embodiment 1 lies in the size of the covering element support arrangement 101 (and therefore the sizes of e.g. covering elements 103 and gussets 107) and also the presence of an interlocking arrangement 120a, 120b (which lead to an alternative shape of the backing member 106). When a plurality of support arrangements 101 are to be connected to a building via their respective connection means 109, the interlocking arrangement allows proper and accurate alignment between neighbouring units by providing a female interlocking formation 120a and a male interlocking formation 120b. In the installed condition, the male interlocking formation 120b and female interlocking formation 120a are abutted to form an interlocked connection between the neighbouring units. In FIGS. 22-28 there is shown a third embodiment of a covering element support arrangement according to the invention illustrated generally by reference numeral 201 having an alternative interlocking arrangement 220a, 220b made up of a female interlocking arrangement 220a and a male interlocking arrangement 220b which abut when neighbouring units are in the installed position.

(56) As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, connection member 9, 109, 209 is to be connected to a mount 50 which is in turn mechanically fixed to a building or building component (a lintel in the embodiment of FIG. 29). The mount 50 has a support surface 51 for masonry such as rows of brickwork. The support surface 51 functions as a shelf to which a covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201 can be attached, but it also provides a platform for upper courses of brickwork. The support surface 51 has a thickness not greater than that of the space between rows of brickwork, such that the end portions of the support surface 51 can be embedded between rows of bricks. The support surface 51 has two elongate slots 52a, 52b extending therethrough. The slots 52a, 52b are sized to receive bolts 53a, 53b that can engage with the covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201. In particular, the bolts 53a, 53b can engage with spring nut 240. The position of the covering element support arrangement 1 can be moved forwards or backwards by adjusting the location of the bolt 53a, 53b in the slot 52a, 52b and the covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201 can be moved laterally by adjusting the location of the spring nut 240 in the channel of connection member 9, 109, 209.

(57) The mount 50 further has two spaced apart mounting brackets 54a, 54b that each support the masonry support surface 51. The mounting brackets 54a, 54b have a slot (not shown) and a lock washer 55a, 55b arranged to attach the mounting brackets 54a, 54b to a wall with bolts 56. The bolts 56 extend through the slot and are fixed relative to the slot by the lock washers 55a, 55b. Each lock washer 55a, 55b has a body (not shown) and a protrusion (not shown) disposed on one face of the body. The protrusion is configured to be disposable in a corresponding slot of a mounting bracket 54a, 54b. The lock washer further has an engagement arrangement (not shown) disposed on the protrusion that is configured to be engageable with the slot of the bracket 54a, 54b and hold the body stationary with respect to the mounting bracket 54a, 54b. Further, there is a slotted hole (not shown) disposed in the body configured to admit a shaft of a bolt 56 therethrough to allow lateral movement of the body relative to the shaft while the shaft is admitted through the slotted hole. The mount 50 further has a shim 57a, 57b located and the wall, providing adjustability of the building arrangement.

(58) The covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201 is mounted to a wall by first attaching a mount 50 to the surface of the wall. The mounting brackets 54a, 54b of the mount 50 are first attached to the surface of the wall using a single bolt 56 for each mounting bracket 54a, 54b. A lock washer 55a, 55b is also used. The bolt 56 passes through the lock washer 55a, 55b and a slot of the mounting bracket 54a, 54b and into the wall. The lock washer 55a, 55b can fixedly adjust the location of the mounting bracket 54a, 54b relative to the placement of the bolt 56 after the bolt has been inserted into the wall. This enables the final location of the covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201 on the building to be adjusted even after the bolt has been inserted into the wall. Once the mounting brackets 54a, 54b are fixed to the wall, the covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201 can then be fixed to the masonry support surface 50. Initially, spring nuts 240 are inserted into the connection member 9, 109, 209 and moved along the channel to the location of the slots 52a, 52b in the masonry support surface 50. Then bolts 53a, 53b are inserted through the slots 52a, 52b and the covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201 is raised, with the connection member 9, 109, 209 being located at the bolts 53a, 53b. The bolts 53a, 53b are tightened through the spring nuts 240 to fix the covering element support arrangement 1, 101, 201 to the mount 50.

(59) A method of constructing a support arrangement 1 for covering elements 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will now be explained. While the method will be explained with respect to the first embodiment of the invention, the method can be similarly applied to all embodiments of the invention. The method comprises providing a carrier 2 for receiving at least one covering element 3 and adapting the carrier 2 to allow covering elements 3 to be received by the carrier means 2 in a plurality of positions and configurations. Allowing the covering elements to be received on the carrier means in a plurality of positions provides a more adaptable covering element support arrangement 1 which can receive covering elements of different sizes.

(60) Covering elements 3 in the form of masonry or brick slips are cut to the required size and a groove or slot is formed in two of the peripheral edges of each covering element 3. Each groove is located 10-15 mm from an interior face of the covering element.

(61) The carrier 2 is cut to an appropriate size for forming at least part of a soffit of a building and receiving the required number of covering elements 3 to cover the soffit or part thereof. The carrier means is bent to be generally L-shaped with a soffit surface 2b which is perpendicular to an upstanding planar surface 2a. A further bend in the carrier 2 provides reinforcing flange 2c which is perpendicular to the soffit surface 2b and improves the rigidity of the carrier 2. A plurality of perforations 10 are formed in the carrier 2 by drilling or punching holes in the carrier 2 at regular intervals in a hexagonal arrangement. The carrier 2 is reinforced by welding a plurality of gussets 7 along the length of the carrier 2. Slots 8a are formed in the gussets 7 to accommodate a backing board and the gussets 7 are welded to the carrier 2 on either side of the slots 8a. A connection member 9 in the form of a steel channel is attached to slots 8b in each of the gussets 7 via welding. A backing member 6 is inserted between the carrier 2 and the slots 8a in the gussets 7.

(62) A 3 mm-thick layer of adhesive is applied to the carrier at the position where a covering element 3 is to be attached and where there are perforations 10 in the carrier. A 1 mm-thick layer of adhesive is applied to a covering element and the covering element 3 is pressed onto the carrier 2. When the covering element 3 is pressed onto the carrier 2 after adhesive has been applied, some adhesive is pushed through the perforations 10 in the carrier 2. Pushing adhesive through a perforation causes the formation of a dome of adhesive on the side of the carrier 2 opposite the covering element 3. When the adhesive 4 subsequently hardens or sets, the dome forms an anchor for the adhesive 4 to be mechanically as well as adhesively bonded to the carrier 2.

(63) While the adhesive 4 is still uncured, a bracket 5a is placed on the carrier 2 adjacent to the covering element 3 such that the base 11 of the bracket is in contact with the adhesive on the carrier 2. The bracket 5a is placed at an edge of the covering element 3 such that at least part of the engagement surface 14 is partially embedded in a slot in the peripheral edge of the covering element 3. In the preferred embodiments either the free end 14a or prongs 14b are partially embedded in the slot. A screw is then passed through the slot 12 in the bracket 5a and partially inserted into a perforation 10 in the carrier 2. Since the carrier 2 includes a high density of perforations 10 it is easy to find a perforation at a suitable position to attach the bracket. Lateral movement afforded by the slot 12 also facilitates fine adjustment of the position of the bracket 5a while the adhesive has not set or cured.

(64) The process is repeated by applying a layer of adhesive to a further covering element 3 and pressing the further covering element onto the carrier adjacent to the previously-applied covering element 3. When the free end 14a of the already-applied bracket 5a is embedded in the slot of the previously-applied covering element 3, the prongs 14b are available to be inserted into a slot in a peripheral edge of the further covering element 3. A further bracket 5a is placed at the free edge of the further covering element 3 such that at least part of the engagement surface 14 is partially embedded in the further slot. Further covering elements 3 and brackets 5a are applied to form courses of covering elements as required, the planar engagement surface 14 of each bracket 5a being engaged in slots of two neighbouring covering elements 3.

(65) After the adhesive 4 has fully hardened, which takes up to 24 hours, the stainless steel locating pins are removed and stainless steel screws are inserted into perforations 10 in the carrier 2 through the slots 12 in the brackets 5a and are fully screwed into the carrier 2 to the extent that they are partially embedded in the backing member 6.

(66) Where a covering element 3 is located at the peripheral edge of the covering element support arrangement 1, that peripheral covering element 3 is retained on its outer edge using an end clip 5b. Preferably the method comprises inserting the planar engagement means 18 of the end clip 5b is inserted into the slot in the exposed edge of a peripheral covering element 3. The base 15 of the end clip 5b is attached to the backing member 6 by a screw which extends through aperture 16. The end clip 5b is arranged such that the backing member 6 lies between the base of the end clip and the carrier 2 and the connection strip 17 is proximal to an edge face of the backing member 6.

(67) The covering element support member 1 is attached to a building via the connection member 9 and a mount 50. A retaining member such as a spring nut 240 is inserted into the connection member 9 and slid along said elongate connection member 9 to a desired location, thereby altering the final position of the covering element support arrangement 1 relative to a mount 50. The spring biases the nut towards the opening in the channel and the retaining lips 11 retain the spring within the channel such that a bolt can easily engage with the nut. Alternatively, a machined block (not shown) having an aperture for receiving a nut could be used within the connection member 9. The location of the covering element support arrangement 1 relative to the building component to which it is fixable can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis of the connection member 9 before torquing the fixings.

(68) In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of the parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of the alternatives, is itself preferred to the less preferred value and also to each value lying between the less preferred value and the intermediate value.

(69) The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.