FIRE-SAFE WALL CLADDING

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a wall cladding, including: a supporting structure; a safety supporting structure; wall cladding elements; at least one structure attachment element made of plastic; at least one cladding attachment element per wall cladding element, where the cladding attachment element forms part of the wall cladding element or is attached thereto and is couplable to the structure attachment element; at least one safety attachment element per wall cladding element, where the safety attachment element forms part of the wall cladding element or is attached thereto; and at least one safety element per wall cladding element, where the safety element is designed to be fire-resistant, is attachable to the safety supporting structure, and is attachable to the safety attachment element.

Claims

1. Wall cladding, comprising: a supporting structure; wall cladding elements; at least one structure attachment element made of plastic which is attachable to the supporting structure; at least one cladding attachment element per wall cladding element, which cladding attachment element forms part of said wall cladding element or is attached thereto and is couplable to the structure attachment element so as to attach the wall cladding element to the supporting structure; wherein the wall cladding comprises a safety supporting structure, at least one safety attachment element per wall cladding element, which safety attachment element forms part of said wall cladding element or is attached thereto, and at least one safety element per wall cladding element, which safety element is designed to be fire-resistant, is attachable to the safety supporting structure and is attachable to the safety attachment element of this wall cladding element.

2. Wall cladding according to claim 1, wherein the cladding attachment element and the safety attachment element are embodied by one and the same attachment element.

3. Wall cladding according to claim 1, wherein the safety supporting structure forms part of the supporting structure.

4. Wall cladding according to claim 3, wherein the safety element is attachable to the supporting structure separately from the structure attachment element.

5. Wall cladding according to claim 1, wherein the structure attachment element is attachable to the supporting structure in such a way that this structure attachment element is movable in a first direction relative to this supporting structure and in that the safety element is attachable to the safety supporting structure in such a way that this safety element is movable in this first direction relative to the safety supporting structure.

6. Wall cladding according to claim 5, wherein, in a state in which the structure attachment element and the cladding attachment element are mutually coupled, the structure attachment element and the cladding attachment element are mutually movable in a second direction, different from the first direction, and in that in a state in which the safety element and the safety attachment element are mutually coupled, the safety element and the safety attachment element are mutually movable in the second direction.

7. Wall cladding according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure comprises a plurality of attachment profiles and in that the safety supporting structure comprises at least one attachment profile, wherein all of said attachment profiles are arranged parallel to one another, wherein each wall cladding element is attachable to a plurality of said attachment profiles of the supporting structure by means of at least one said structure attachment element made of plastic and wherein, per wall cladding element, one said safety element is provided for attachment of said wall cladding element to said attachment profile of the safety attachment structure.

8. Wall cladding according to claim 7, wherein said attachment profiles are arranged one above the other in a mounted state and in that said attachment profile of the safety supporting structure is arranged above the centre of mass of said wall cladding element.

9. Wall cladding according to claim 8, wherein the safety element is attachable at the top of the corresponding attachment profile.

10. Wall cladding according to claim 8, wherein at least two said safety elements are provided per wall cladding element, by means of which safety elements said wall cladding element is attached to two corresponding attachment profiles.

11. Wall cladding according to claim 1, wherein the safety element is attachable to the safety supporting structure by means of a click-fit connection and/or a hook connection and/or is attachable to the safety attachment element by means of a click-fit connection and/or a hook connection.

12. Wall cladding according to claim 11, wherein the safety element is attachable to the safety supporting structure by means of a first barb and is attachable to the safety attachment element by means of a second barb.

13. Wall cladding according to claim 1, wherein the safety element is made of spring steel.

14. Wall cladding according to claim 1, wherein the wall cladding elements are designed as slats.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0066] This disclosure will now be explained in greater detail by means of the following description of some preferred wall claddings according to this disclosure. The sole aim of this description is to give illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and features of these wall claddings and can therefore by no means be interpreted as limiting the scope of application of the disclosure or of the patent rights defined in the claims.

[0067] In this description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawings, in which:

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a slatwall (1) according to this disclosure in perspective;

[0069] FIG. 2 shows part of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 in top view;

[0070] FIG. 3 shows part of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 in side view;

[0071] FIG. 4 shows part of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 in a view from above in greater detail;

[0072] FIGS. 5 to 10 are views and perspective views showing how a slatwall (1) according to this disclosure can be mounted, wherein:

[0073] FIG. 5 shows an attachment profile with a structure attachment element attached thereto in top view, with a slat and a safety element in an unmounted state;

[0074] FIG. 6 shows the elements from FIG. 5 in perspective;

[0075] FIG. 7 shows the elements from FIG. 5 in top view, wherein the slat is attached to the structure attachment element and wherein the safety element is attached to the slat separately from the attachment profile;

[0076] FIG. 8 shows the elements from FIG. 6 in perspective;

[0077] FIG. 9 shows the elements from FIG. 5 in a mounted state in side view;

[0078] FIG. 10 shows the elements from FIG. 9 in perspective;

[0079] FIG. 11 shows an attachment profile (2) of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 separately in cross section;

[0080] FIG. 12 shows a structure attachment element (4) of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 separately in perspective;

[0081] FIG. 13 shows a safety element (6) of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 separately in perspective;

[0082] FIG. 14 shows the safety element (6) from FIG. 13 in front view;

[0083] FIG. 15 shows, in perspective, an attachment profile (2) of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 with, attached thereto, a structure attachment element (4) with, alternatively attached thereto, a safety element (6′);

[0084] FIG. 16 shows the attachment profile (2) from FIG. 15 with the safety element (6′) attached thereto separately in perspective;

[0085] FIG. 17 shows the safety element (6′) from FIG. 15 separately in perspective;

[0086] FIG. 18 shows, in perspective, an attachment profile (2) of the slatwall (1) from FIG. 1 with, attached thereto, a structure attachment element (4) with, alternatively attached thereto, a second safety element (6″);

[0087] FIG. 19 shows the safety element (6″) from FIG. 18 separately in perspective.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] The slatwall (1) shown in FIG. 1 forms a vertical wall comprising various wall parts which are arranged at an angle relative to one another. Alternatively, a vertical, substantially curved wall could be formed using the elements of this slatwall (1) Furthermore, substantially horizontal walls, oblique walls, etc. may also be formed using slatwalls (1) according to this disclosure.

[0089] The slatwall (1) shown comprises a plurality of attachment profiles (2), which are arranged parallel to one another. In FIG. 1, these attachment profiles (2) are attached to wooden battens (2′) on a wall (9) so as to be able to arrange insulation between the wall (9) and the wall cladding elements (3, 3′, 3″). These attachment profiles (2) could also be attached to a wall directly or be attached differently to such a wall in a floating manner. These could also, for example, be attached separately from such a wall, such as to posts for example.

[0090] In the figures, the attachment profiles (2) run substantially horizontally. These could also run vertically and could, for example, serve as posts themselves. These attachment profiles (2) could also be arranged obliquely.

[0091] The attachment profiles (2) shown in the figures are substantially straight in their longitudinal direction. They could also be designed to curve.

[0092] The attachment profiles (2) shown may, for example, be made from aluminium by extrusion.

[0093] The supporting structure (2, 2′) shown comprises said attachment profiles (2) and wooden battens (2′). This supporting structure could however equally be a wall, a panel, laths, posts, etc.

[0094] The attachment profiles (2) shown comprise a bottom (21) and two walls (22) which are upright relative to this bottom (21). These are attached by their bottom (21) to underlying structure elements (2′, 9) by fitting screws through this bottom (21). Outward-directed flanges (23) and inward-directed flanges (28) are provided at the ends of the upright walls, with a screw channel (31) between each of the pairs of flanges (23, 28). Fitting slots (24) are provided on the outsides of the upright walls (22). There are of course many conceivable variants for the structure of such an attachment profile (2).

[0095] A plurality of structure attachment elements (4) are attached to each of the attachment profiles (2) shown.

[0096] For the possible structure and advantages of such structure attachment elements (4), reference may also be made to WO 2018/220480 A1.

[0097] To attach the structure attachment elements (4) to the attachment profiles (2) shown, the structure attachment elements (4) comprise hook-shaped elements (19) which are fitted over the outward-directed flanges (23) of the attachment profile (2), so that these flanges (23) of the attachment profiles (2) are in form-fitting contact with the structure attachment elements (4) attached thereto. The hook-shaped elements (19) are provided in such a manner that the structure attachment elements (4) can be click-fitted, by hooking the hook-shaped elements (19) shown at the top of in FIG. 12 over the corresponding flange (23) of the attachment profile (2) and clicking the bottom hook-shaped elements (19) over the corresponding flange (23) of the attachment profile (2). In this case, the structure attachment elements (4) are still able to slide in a first direction (A)—which here corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding attachment profile (2)—relative to this attachment profile (2). This structure attachment element (4) may then, in its mounted state, be fixed relative to this attachment profile (2), for example by means of one of more screws.

[0098] Each structure attachment element (4) shown comprises a plurality of protruding fitting ribs (15). Once the structure attachment element (4) has been attached to an attachment profile (2), these fitting ribs (15) are arranged in a distributed manner over the longitudinal direction of this attachment profile (2). These fitting ribs (15) define corresponding fitting slots (16). Each fitting rib (15) is provided with an undercut (17). The structure attachment element (4) further comprises guiding arcs (18) for the fitting slots (16).

[0099] The slatwalls (1) shown also further comprise a plurality of slats (3, 3′, 3″), each of which is provided with a plurality of fitting ribs (12) with a widened head (13) as cladding attachment elements (5). FIGS. 2 and 5-10 show slats (3, 3″) which comprise two fitting ribs (12) and a slat (3′) which comprises four fitting ribs (12). Slats could of course also be provided with more or fewer fitting ribs (12). The slats (3, 3′, 3″) shown may, for example, be made of aluminium by extrusion.

[0100] These slats (3, 3′, 3″) are attachable to the structure attachment elements (4) by fitting these fitting ribs (12) into corresponding fitting slots (16), so that the widened head (13) can grip behind the undercuts (17). When fitting the slats (3, 3′, 3″), the fitting ribs (8) are guided by the guiding arcs (18) into the corresponding fitting slots (16). In this case, the slats (3, 3′, 3″) are then movable in a second direction (B), at right angles to the first direction (A), relative to these structure attachment elements (4).

[0101] The slats (3, 3′, 3″) may be click-fitted into one or more structure attachment elements (4) at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the attachment profiles (2) In this case, successive fitting slots (16) define successive positions for the click-fitting of the slats (3, 3′, 3″).

[0102] According to the disclosure, the slatwall (1) shown also comprises safety elements (6, 6′, 6″).

[0103] Per slat (3, 3′, 3″), at least one such safety element (6, 6′, 6″) is attached to the attachment profile (2) on one side, and to this slat (3, 3′, 3″) on the other side. For reasons of fire safety, this safety element (6, 6′, 6″) is preferably attached to the uppermost attachment profile (2). In addition, an additional safety element (6, 6′, 6″) may be provided per slat (3, 3′, 3″) so that the slats (3, 3′, 3″) are less readily detachable, for example to secure against vandalism and for burglar resistance.

[0104] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-14, each safety element (6) is attached at the top of the corresponding attachment profile (2).

[0105] To this end, this safety element (6) comprises downward-directed click-fit legs (10, 11), by means of which this safety element (6) can be click-fitted into the fitting slot (24) at the top of the attachment profile (2). For this, the middle click-fit leg (10) is provided with a barb (7) which can be hooked behind an overhanging edge (20) which is situated above the fitting slot (24) and forms part of the attachment profile (2).

[0106] In this case, the safety element (6) then still remains slidable in the first direction (A) relative to this attachment profile (3, 3′, 3″).

[0107] This fitting slot (24) remains accessible when a structure attachment element (4) is attached to the attachment profile (2), so that the safety element (6) is attachable to the attachment profile (2) separately from this structure attachment element (4).

[0108] To attach the corresponding slat (3, 3′, 3″) to this safety element (6), this safety element (6) is provided with three fitting legs (26), which define two fitting cavities (27), wherein each fitting leg (26) is provided on either side with folded fitting hooks (8), which are provided to act as barbs (8) so as to be able to hook behind the widened head (13) of the fitting ribs (12) of the slats (3, 3′, 3″) when these fitting ribs (12) are arranged in the fitting cavities (27). The fitting hooks (8) are arranged in an alternating distribution over the fitting legs (26) and vary in size in order to facilitate the click-fitting of the fitting ribs (12).

[0109] Instead of click-fitting one or more such fitting ribs (12) of a slat (3, 3′, 3″) into one or more corresponding fitting cavities (27) of this safety element (6), it is also possible, in the embodiment shown, to click-fit all of the fitting legs (26) together between two fitting ribs (12) of a slat (3).

[0110] Once the safety element (6) has been click-fitted onto the slat (3, 3′, 3″), this safety element remains slidable in the second direction (B) relative to this slat (3, 3′, 3″).

[0111] A second such safety element (6) may also be attached at the bottom of each slat (3, 3′, 3″) by rotating this safety element (6) by 180°, so that the top side as seen in the figures becomes the underside. This safety element (6) may then be attached to the slat (3, 3′, 3″) in a similar manner and click-fitted into the bottom fitting slot (24) of the bottom attachment profile (2).

[0112] The safety element (6) shown in FIGS. 2-10 and 13-14 may for example be formed from spring steel plate by punching and bending.

[0113] To mount the wall cladding (1) shown in FIG. 1, the attachment profiles (2) may first be arranged parallel to one other. The structure attachment elements (4) are then attached to the corresponding attachment profiles (2). In each case, only the structure attachment element (4) which comes first, viewed in the first direction (A), is fixed relative to the corresponding attachment profile (2), for example by means of screws. To this end, these structure attachment elements (4) which come first are aligned relative to one other. The other structure attachment elements (4) remain slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the corresponding attachment profile (2).

[0114] A first slat (3″) is then click-fitted onto the structure attachment elements (4), as can be seen in FIGS. 5-8. For this, a corresponding safety element (6) is first click-fitted onto the slat (3″) at a distance above the attachment profile (2) and then slid downwards in order to be click-fitted into this attachment profile (2), as can be seen in FIGS. 7-10. Such a safety element (6) may optionally be attached in a similar manner at the bottom as well.

[0115] The other slats (3, 3′) are then click-fitted onto the structure attachment elements (4), on which the structure attachment elements (4) which are still slidable will be slid into their desired end position. The desired safety elements (6) are also secured per slat (3, 3′).

[0116] The structure attachment elements (4) which come last may then be aligned again relative to one another. If their position deviates excessively from the desired position, the intermediate structure attachment elements (4) and safety elements (6) may be moved as necessary relative to the corresponding attachment profiles (2) in order to achieve the desired end position. A first alternative embodiment of a safety element (6′) according to this disclosure is shown in FIGS. 15-17.

[0117] This safety element (6′) may likewise be made of spring steel.

[0118] This safety element (6′) comprises folded click-fit legs (7) by means of which the safety element (6′) is click-fittable into a corresponding attachment profile (2). In this case, the click-fit legs (7) continue to hook securely behind the inward-directed flanges (28) of this attachment profile (2) as barbs, as can be seen in FIG. 16.

[0119] In addition, this safety element (6′) comprises protruding fitting ribs (8′) which work together in a similar way to the above-described fitting ribs (15) of the structure attachment element (4) shown, so as to be able to click-fit the fitting ribs (12) of a slat (3, 3′, 3″) therebetween.

[0120] The structure attachment element (4) shown may be arranged over this safety element (6′), wherein the fitting ribs (8′) of this safety element (6′) are arranged through cavities (25) in this structure attachment element (4).

[0121] A second alternative embodiment of a safety element (6″) according to this disclosure is shown in FIGS. 18-19.

[0122] This safety element (6″) may also be formed from spring steel plate by punching and bending.

[0123] This safety element (6″) is secured to the attachment profile (2) using a screw (29), by screwing this screw (29) through a screw hole (30) in the safety element (6″) into a screw channel (31) of the attachment profile (2).

[0124] This safety element (6″) is also provided with upright barbs (8″) between which the fitting ribs (12) of a slat (3, 3′, 3″) may be click-fitted.

[0125] In the embodiments shown, the supporting structure (2, 2′) for attachment of the structure attachment elements (4) is also designed to be the safety supporting structure (2, 2′) for attachment of the safety elements. This safety supporting structure (2, 2′) could however also be designed for attachment of the safety elements (6, 6′, 6″) separately from the supporting structure (2, 2′).

[0126] Furthermore, in the embodiments shown, the cladding attachment elements (5) of the slats are also designed to be the safety attachment elements (5). These safety attachment elements (5) could however also be designed to be separate from the cladding attachment elements (5).